Tito not shocked by AFCON omission

Maswanganyi featured in qualifiers for both AFCON and the FIFA World Cup and was included in Hugo Broos’ preliminary 54-man squad, but the midfielder felt his chances of making the final cut were always slim.

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Speaking on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube, he admitted he wasn’t surprised when his name didn’t appear in the final 25-man list.

"I already knew that I wasn't going to make it to the AFCON squad because I wasn't playing - I would get a few minutes to play. But I think when I was called up to the national team, I had problems with small injuries. I think those kinds of things do affect your mind and your position in the national team, because we have a lot of players in the country who are working hard and are doing very well and deserve to be selected. For me, I didn't even think about it, because I already knew that I wasn't going to make it," said Maswanganyi.

Broos had touted Maswanganyi as the ideal replacement for veteran Themba Zwane, but the Pirates star says he expected the outcome.

"Yeah for sure it does, because everyone wants to be there but if you can't be there you can't force things. I think I need to work hard and try to wait for my opportunity. Right now, I am working hard to find my place back in the team, if I do well in the team that raises my chances to be in the national team," added Maswanganyi.

It’s not just on the international front where he’s felt the dip - Maswanganyi has battled for a regular place at Pirates and concedes the season’s been uneven.

"Some of the things you can't control in life. It has been hard to sometimes watch the other players play, but you need to understand that those people work hard and they are doing well at the moment. For me, it has never been the case of asking the coach as to why I am not playing but for me it is about showing the other guys especially the new guys that I can be on the bench and support them - to motivate them, because they are doing well for the team," he expressed.

Meanwhile, on the back of winning the Carling Knockout - their second domestic trophy this season - Maswanganyi says they have their sights set on the Betway Premiership title as well as the Nedbank Cup.