Maswanganyi set for Rele’s boots? Ouaddou responds
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Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi. Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
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Maswanganyi set for Rele’s boots? Ouaddou responds
Aug 17, 2026 – 11:06 am
By Siya Ndlela
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has responded to questions over Patrick Maswanganyi’s readiness to fill the void left by Relebohile Mofokeng in the Buccaneers’ line-up.
The Sea Robbers are actively searching for a new number 10 to fill the creative void left by Mofokeng, who was instrumental last term, with an impressive return of 10 goals and eight assists.
However, Ouaddou is confident that ‘Tito’ has the tactical maturity and technical flair to spearhead the Buccaneers’ attack moving forward.
Maswanganyi recently vindicated that trust by delivering a stellar performance in the 3-0 victory over Chippa United at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday.
The playmaker was central to the side’s offensive transitions. This dominant display marks his fourth appearance of the current campaign, where he has already registered one goal and two assists, proving he can shoulder the responsibility of being the team’s primary creative hub.
“Look, everybody who understands football and knows football can see the fantastic quality in Tito,” Ouaddou said post-match.
“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. You see that he can help the team, and he can really be the link between the defenders and the strikers.
“Not only that, he is able to feed in the last third, but he’s somebody who is able to score as well.
“So, I think he has a lot of talent; he knows. When 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, and he’s a clever boy. He knows exactly what we’re expecting from him, and he showed it today.
READ: ‘He’s a quality player’ – Truter hails Pirates star after Chippa defeat
“Again, I hope we will have this consistency because he’s a key player for Pirates, definitely. 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. 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. The work starts in training, not during the weekend, during the game,” explained the lanky gaffer.