Pirates’ Mofokeng Replacement? Ouaddou Points To ‘Key Player’
Patrick Maswanganyi during the Betway Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Orlando Pirates. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has backed Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi to play a bigger role for the Buccaneers following the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng.
Maswanganyi was among the standout performers as Pirates secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Chippa United at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday, with the attacking midfielder continuing to show signs of growing into a more influential role under Ouaddou.
Mofokeng’s departure to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise has left a significant creative void in the Pirates squad, with the 21-year-old having been one of the team’s most important attacking players.
However, Ouaddou believes Maswanganyi possesses the qualities to help fill that void.
“Everybody who understands football, who knows football, can see a fantastic quality on Tito,” Ouaddou told journalists after the win over Chippa.
The Pirates coach believes the 28-year-old is at his best when he plays on the front foot and takes the game towards the opposition.
“As long as he brings the game in his favour to play forward, it’s what we have been saying to him, to bring the game forward,” he explained.
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Ouaddou also highlighted Maswanganyi’s ability to operate as a link between the midfield and attack, while also contributing in the final third.
“You see that he can help the team and he can be really the link between the defenders and the strikers. Not only that, he’s able to feed in the last third, but he’s somebody who is able to score as well,” said the French-Moroccan coach.
The Pirates mentor revealed that Maswanganyi has been receiving individual attention as part of efforts to improve his effectiveness in the team, including video sessions focusing on his positioning.
“We sit with him. We talk a lot about which area he needs to occupy, he must occupy, in order to be more efficient. We did a lot of video sessions with him as well,” Ouaddou said.
The coach was particularly pleased with the midfielder’s application during pre-season and the opening matches of the campaign, but stressed that consistency will be crucial.
“He’s a clever boy. He knows exactly what we’re expecting from him and he showed it today,” he said.
“Again, I hope we will have this consistency because he’s a key player for Pirates, definitely.”
With Mofokeng now embarking on a new chapter in Europe, Ouaddou acknowledged that Maswanganyi has an opportunity to take on greater responsibility.
“And like you said, truly, with the departure of Rele, he has a big space there to play and a very big role to play for our club,” he added.
The Pirates coach also praised Maswanganyi’s attitude and commitment in training, suggesting that his performances are a reflection of the work being done away from matchdays.
“I’m very happy about his preparation since the beginning of the season. I’m very happy about how he’s training. I’m very happy about his attitude and it’s what I’m asking for my players,” Ouaddou said.
For Ouaddou, that work ethic is non-negotiable, with the coach making it clear that performances on matchday are ultimately built during the week.
“The work starts in training, not during the weekend, during the game. The work starts in training at the beginning of the week.”
With Pirates looking to defend their Betway Premiership title and compete on multiple fronts this season, Maswanganyi could now find himself carrying increased creative responsibility as Ouaddou looks to reshape his attack following Mofokeng’s departure.
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