Orlando Pirates pulled off a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final, but one moment in the game still has tongues wagging.
Junior Khanye of iDiski TV has slammed coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s early substitution of Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi in the second leg.
Orlando Pirates came into the Tshwane clash with a 1-1 first-leg draw. Ouaddou started Tito, but hauled him off in the 38th minute for Bandile Shandu while Sundowns were leading 1-0.
PATRICK MASWANGANYI SUBSTITUTION AGAINST MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
While it was a shocker, the decision worked. Shandu’s positional switch helped set up the equaliser, and Orlando Pirates eventually advanced to the final.
Khanye questions the psychological hit
“I think the coach made sacrifices in the first 20 minutes,” Khanye said. “None other than that tactical change from the coach. I don’t agree with what he did because psychologically that hurt Tito.
“I know he has won, but to sacrifice a player that could have won the game for you playing to his strength, I think it hurt Tito Maswanganyi.”
Winning the game, winning the debate
“Yeah, the decision worked for the team and the coach; the coach benefited from that,” the former Kaizer Chiefs ball wizard concluded.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF COACH ABDESLAM OUADDOU AT ORLANDO PIRATES SO FAR?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.