Maswanganyi urged to make most of ‘life-changing’ Bahrain move

Former Orlando Pirates head coach Roger de Sa says Patrick Maswanganyi must use his move to Bahrain as an opportunity to secure his financial future, while warning the midfielder to be careful with his money and the representatives handling his career.

Orlando Pirates confirmed on Monday that they had reached an agreement with Bahrain Premier League side Alkhaldiya Sports Club for the transfer of Maswanganyi. The deal followed his surprise absence from The Buccaneers’ MTN8 semi-final first-leg match against Sekhukhune United, which became one of the major talking points of the weekend.

Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou did not provide detailed insight into the reasons behind the 28-year-old’s absence, leaving questions about what had been happening behind the scenes at The Ghosts.

Maswanganyi is now expected to negotiate lucrative personal terms with Alkhaldiya Sports Club. The size of the opportunity has been underlined by the strength of Bahrain’s currency, with one Bahraini Dinar worth approximately R42,62 in South African rand as of Tuesday.

De Sa, who previously managed Orlando Pirates and has also worked in countries including Iran and Qatar, believes the move could have a significant impact on the Tembisa-born player’s life.

“The type of money you can make in those countries…hopefully he invests it well and looks after himself,” De Sa said.

“Hopefully he doesn’t get taken in by some shocker agents, who take most of this money away; hopefully he looks after himself.”

Although De Sa acknowledged the potential financial benefits of moving to the Gulf region, he stressed that Maswanganyi should also consider the cost of living in his new surroundings. He said the midfielder would need to manage his earnings carefully if he wanted the move to provide long-term security.

De Sa added that he would not discourage a South African player in his mid-20s from accepting such an opportunity. In his view, the relatively short length of a professional football career makes it important for players to maximise their earning potential while they can.

“Look, it’s a short career, so the guy, obviously, he’s got to enjoy himself but also prepare for his future. If he retires at 35 and has a life expectancy of at least 75, he’s got another 40 years to look after himself,” the former Egypt assistant coach said.

“So, he’s got to make the most of it,” De Sa added.

Maswanganyi, a former PSL Players’ Player of the Season, has established himself as a notable figure at Orlando Pirates and has also represented Bafana Bafana. His departure comes after a period in which his omission from the MTN8 meeting with Sekhukhune United prompted widespread attention.

The agreement with Alkhaldiya Sports Club now places the focus on the next stage of his career in the Bahrain Premier League. For De Sa, the move represents more than a change of club: it is a chance for Maswanganyi to build a secure future beyond his playing days, provided he protects and invests the income he earns.