Orlando Pirates: Abdeslam Ouaddou backs Patrick Maswanganyi to replace Relebohile Mofokeng’s creativity

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi can take on a much greater role for the club after Relebohile Mofokeng’s move to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Maswanganyi was one of the standout players in Pirates’ 3-0 victory over Chippa United at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday, producing another encouraging display as he continues to develop into a more influential figure under Ouaddou.

Mofokeng’s departure has created a considerable creative gap in the Buccaneers’ squad. The 21-year-old was one of Pirates’ most important attacking players, but Ouaddou is confident Maswanganyi has the attributes required to help compensate for his absence.

“Everybody who understands football, who knows football, can see a fantastic quality on Tito,” Ouaddou told journalists after the win.

The coach wants the 28-year-old to play with greater attacking intent, explaining that Maswanganyi is most effective when he takes the initiative and carries 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 said.

Ouaddou also pointed to the midfielder’s ability to connect different parts of the team. In his view, Maswanganyi can support the defence-to-attack transition, create opportunities in the final third and provide a goal threat himself.

“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.

Maswanganyi has been given individual guidance to help him become more effective. Ouaddou said the pair have worked together on the areas of the pitch the player should occupy, with video analysis also forming part of the process.

“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 Pirates manager said he had been impressed by Maswanganyi’s approach during pre-season and in the opening matches of the campaign. However, he stressed that maintaining that level over a sustained period would be essential if the midfielder is to become a central figure for the team.

“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.”

Ouaddou acknowledged that Mofokeng’s move to Europe has opened up an important opportunity for Maswanganyi to assume more responsibility in the Pirates attack.

“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 coach was also pleased with Maswanganyi’s conduct and level of commitment in training, saying his performances on matchdays are being supported by the work he is doing throughout the week.

“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.

Ouaddou made clear that training remains the foundation for success, rather than something that begins only when a match arrives.

“The work starts in training, not during the weekend, during the game. The work starts in training at the beginning of the week.”

As Pirates attempt to defend their Betway Premiership title while competing on multiple fronts, Maswanganyi could now be asked to carry a larger share of the team’s creative responsibilities. His progress will be an important part of Ouaddou’s efforts to reshape the attack following Mofokeng’s departure.