Orlando Pirates: Abdeslam Ouaddou challenges Patrick Maswanganyi to fill creative void left by Relebohile Mofokeng

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has called on Patrick Maswanganyi to assume greater creative responsibility after the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng.

The 27-year-old midfielder made an immediate contribution in Pirates’ 3-0 Betway Premiership win over Chippa United at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Sunday, supplying the assist for Ghampani Lungu’s opening goal.

Maswanganyi had already made a strong start to the campaign in the MTN8. He provided an assist before scoring in Pirates’ 2-1 quarter-final victory over Durban City, underlining his potential to become a more influential attacking player.

With Mofokeng no longer part of the squad, Ouaddou sees an opportunity for Maswanganyi to take on some of the creative duties previously carried by the young attacker. However, the coach believes the midfielder must offer more than occasional flashes of quality in the final third.

Ouaddou has been working with Maswanganyi on becoming more direct in possession and increasing his influence during matches. A key part of that work has involved improving the link between Pirates’ defence and their attacking players.

“Everybody who understands football, who knows football, can see fantastic quality on Tito,” said Ouaddou.

The coach wants Maswanganyi to play forward more consistently and use his ability to move the team up the pitch.

“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. You see that he can help the team and he can really be the link between the defenders and the strikers.”

Ouaddou also believes Maswanganyi can provide a greater goal threat instead of being used primarily as a creator.

“Not only that, he’s able to feed in the last third, but he’s somebody who is able to score as well.”

Maswanganyi’s progress has been supported by individual tactical sessions, including video analysis designed to highlight areas where he can become more effective.

“We did a lot of video sessions with him as well. And he’s a clever boy; he’s a clever boy. He knows exactly what we’re expecting from him and he showed it today.”

The Pirates manager is encouraged by the midfielder’s early performances but recognises that sustained consistency will be vital if Maswanganyi is to become one of the club’s main creative outlets.

“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 said.

Pirates’ attacking displays have shown promise at the start of the season, and Maswanganyi now has the chance to establish himself in the role opened up by Mofokeng’s departure.

Maswanganyi has also been involved in a Betway Premiership contest with Siphamandla Zikhali of AmaZulu, highlighting his place in the domestic campaign as he continues to develop under Ouaddou.