Abdeslam Ouaddou’s big Pirates-Maswanganyi challenge after Rele Mofokeng exit

Orlando Pirates' head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is urging Patrick Maswanganyi to assume a more creative role following Relebohile Mofokeng's exit from the squad. Maswanganyi showcased his potential in Pirates' recent 3-0 win over Chippa United, setting up the opening goal for Ghampani Lungu. The 27-year-old also made an impactful contribution to the Buccaneers' 2-1 quarter-final victory over Durban City by providing an assist and scoring himself.

With Mofokeng no longer part of the team, Ouaddou believes Maswanganyi has the ability to fill the creative void and become a key figure in the team. However, the coach wants Maswanganyi to be more direct and influential in possession, particularly in connecting the defense with the attackers. Ouaddou praised Maswanganyi's tactical understanding and willingness to adapt, noting that video analysis has helped the midfielder identify areas for improvement.

Maswanganyi's development has included individual tactical work, and he has demonstrated his ability to feed the ball into the final third and score as well. While Ouaddou is optimistic about Maswanganyi's potential, he acknowledges that consistency will be essential for the midfielder to establish himself as one of Pirates' leading creative forces. With Pirates already exhibiting attacking promise this season, Maswanganyi now has a significant opportunity to make the creative role his own.