‘Greed robbed me from joining Man United’ – Ex-Pirates defender

Former Orlando Pirates defender Patrick Phungwayo admitted that ‘greed’ robbed him of joining European teams like Manchester United.

The retired left-back made his name at Pirates where he won the Nedbank Cup with the Buccaneers in 2014. Before that, he was with Bidvest Wits and at the peak of his career, Phungwayo was one of the best left-backs in the PSL.

Speaking to FARPost, the former Pirates defender said he was invited to train with teams like Man United and Blackburn Rovers.

“I don’t think South African football would have known me to be honest with you,” he said during an interview with FARPost.

“If I take it back, I’ve been around when I was young because teams like Manchester United invited me to come train there [in England]. Blackburn Rovers invited me when I was around the age of 17, 18, 19. I was still in the academy, so they came and scouted me in the academy.

Ex-Pirates defender Phungwayo had ‘solid offers’

“They wanted me to come then, and I’ve been around ever since. And I say, if it wasn’t for greed, I wouldn’t have played in the PSL. I had teams that really wanted me, that were interested, and because at the age of 16, 17, they can’t buy you, you’re still young. I couldn’t sign because people wanted money at that time.

“But I had solid offers from a young age before I was even recognised at [Bidvest Wits]. Hence, my story is a sad one, but it had a happy ending,” said the former Pirates defender

“I also had a team that was so serious about signing me in France; they wanted me right there and then, and I was still in school. They couldn’t sign me and pay the money because I was still young. They promised the academy that when I make it professional, they will then give them something. But because of things…”

After Phungwayo left Pirates in 2016, the defender joined Free State Stars but things did not work out. He ultimately retired shortly after.

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