Maswanganyi: Orlando Pirates exit was necessary to protect his family

Patrick Maswanganyi says he left Orlando Pirates early in the season to protect his mental health and shield his family from the criticism directed at him on social media.

The midfielder had made a promising start to the campaign, featuring in four matches and contributing one goal and one assist across all competitions. He was expected to play an important role in the team after several key departures, including talisman Relebohile Mofokeng.

But reports that Maswanganyi was set to join Bahrain-based club Al-Khaldiya SC came as a surprise, and his move was completed soon afterwards.

The decision was also unexpected because of the strong relationship he had built with Orlando Pirates supporters. Fans regularly sang “Weh Tito! Weh Tito! Weh Tito!” when he received the ball or displayed his skills, including during the MTN8 match earlier this season.

However, Maswanganyi said his experience away from the pitch had become increasingly difficult. Speaking to the South African Football Journalists Association (Safja), he explained that the criticism had affected both him and his family.

“I needed to be in a space where I could feel like myself again and also to try to be at peace because I was looking for peace in a way when I was in South Africa I couldn’t have. I needed peace, so that’s why I went there,” said Maswanganyi.

“Everyone knows that I was under a lot of pressure, not really pressure for me, but my family was suffering from the comments that I was getting from the media.”

The impact was so severe that some of his relatives encouraged him to give up football altogether. Maswanganyi rejected that option, but said he understood why they had reached that point.

“They would see those things, and they wanted me to quit football, but for me it was something I would understand because I’m a professional player, and these things happen,” he said.

“But for them, it was really tough, and I also had to make sure that my family was well-protected from those things. I felt that if I were to move far away from the country, things would get better in terms of their health.

“And also, for myself, because I had to stop being in a space where I had a lot of thoughts about football, whether I’m good or bad.”

Maswanganyi has since made an impressive beginning with Al-Khaldiya SC. The club have climbed to fifth in the standings and are two points behind league leaders Al-Shabab.

He will aim to help the side improve their position when he returns, having moved abroad in search of greater peace for himself and better protection for his family.