Patrick Maswanganyi returns to Orlando Pirates training amid transfer speculation

Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi returned to Orlando Pirates training on Monday, providing a significant update on his situation after he was omitted from the squad for the club’s MTN8 semi-final first-leg win over Sekhukhune United.

The Buccaneers were preparing for another meeting with Sekhukhune, this time in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday, when Maswanganyi took part in the team’s session.

The 28-year-old attacker was not included in the matchday squad for Saturday’s 1-0 victory at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Deon Hotto scored the only goal of the game to give Orlando Pirates a narrow advantage in the first leg of the semi-final tie.

His absence prompted questions about his position at the club, particularly after head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirmed after the match that Maswanganyi had not been left out because of an injury.

Reports then linked the player with a possible move to Bahrain, with speculation increasing as the transfer window moves towards its final stages. His longer-term future at the Soweto club has consequently become a subject of growing interest.

However, the Siya crew understands that Maswanganyi was involved in Orlando Pirates’ preparations on Monday. The club also published images from its MD-1 training session ahead of the league fixture, with the attacking midfielder clearly visible in one of the photographs.

His return to the group does not necessarily end the uncertainty surrounding his future. Nevertheless, it marks an important development after his omission from the weekend’s MTN8 fixture.

Maswanganyi joined Orlando Pirates from SuperSport United in 2023 and quickly became a popular figure among the Buccaneers supporters. He has played an important role for the club since his arrival, including during their successful 2025/26 campaign.

That season ended with Orlando Pirates winning the Betway Premiership title for the first time after a long wait. Maswanganyi was among the players who contributed to the achievement as Pirates dethroned Mamelodi Sundowns.

He has also remained a regular presence at the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign, making his absence from the MTN8 semi-final especially notable.

Orlando Pirates will now face Sekhukhune United again in the league, and the immediate question is whether Maswanganyi’s return to training will lead to a place in the matchday squad.

His selection, or continued omission, against Sekhukhune on Tuesday could offer a further indication of his current standing under Ouaddou. Any decision on his longer-term future, however, is likely to remain closely monitored while transfer speculation continues.

For now, his participation in Monday’s session confirms that he remains part of the Pirates training group as the club prepares for another important fixture against Sekhukhune.