Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has thrown his support behind Patrick Maswanganyi, stating he remains one of their best players at the club.
Maswanganyi was hauled off by Ouaddou in the 38th minute in their MTN8 second leg semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns but went on to eliminate the reigning league champions 4-1 on penalties after the match finished 2-2 over the two legged two.
It was a bold move, as he reshuffled the team, with Bandile Shandu brought on to move into the right back role, Kamogelo Sebelebele into right-wing and Relebohile Mofokeng into the 10 role that Tito occupied in the starting line-up.
“We have to be careful about that – because Patrick is one of our best players, he’s a top player, he’s doing well for so long at this club and I believe in him,” Ouaddou said.
“Sometimes in football, especially me, I’ve been in professional football for 17 years, I can’t tell you how many times the coach took me out because I was not having a good day – it doesn’t mean I was a bad player.
“It’s just it wasn’t his day, but I still believe in him, he’s still very important for the club – and we don’t know maybe he will be a regular in the final – it just wasn’t his day and it was tactical [to change him].”
Maswanganyi has featured 87 times for Pirates since joining the club from SuperSport United in July 2023, with 19 goals and 16 assists to his name.
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