New Orlando Pirates style no longer for Patrick Maswanganyi?

Orlando Pirates playmaker Patrick Maswanganyi needs more touches and freedom under Abdeslam Ouaddou, says former Bucs midfielder Xola Mlambo.

Patrick Maswanganyi has the quality to run game, but only if the system lets him. The former SuperSport United midfielder, now a Bafana Bafana international, thrives when he’s on the ball and combining between the lines.

Xola Mlambo believes Ouaddou’s current approach, with its emphasis on “diagonal dodges” in build-up, is clipping Tito’s wings.

WHAT PATRICK MASWANGANYI NEEDS IN NEW ORLANDO PIRATES MODEL

Orlando Pirates’ system isn’t playing to Tito’s strengths

Mlambo’s view is simple: Maswanganyi is a creator, not a chaser. “Tito is a ball player… he wouldn’t be called to the national team if he wasn’t,” Mlambo said on the Switch On Network YouTube channel, adding that a style demanding constant up-and-down pressing dulls Tito’s edge.

Feed Patrick Maswanganyi’s playmaking

“You need to get him more on the ball,” Mlambo argued. Without regular touches, Tito’s imagination fades and Orlando Pirates lose their chief lock-picker in tight games.

“It’s not about luxury, it’s about usage. When the No.10 gets early passes, he sets the tempo, links wide players, and draws fouls in dangerous zones,” Mlambo added.