{
  "id": 4414868,
  "title": "Ouaddou on life at Pirates after Mofokeng and Maswanganyi exits",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/ouaddou-on-life-at-pirates-after-mofokeng-and-maswanganyi-exits",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T11:41:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/ouaddou-on-life-at-pirates-after-mofokeng-and-maswanganyi-exits/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou discussed the challenges of rebuilding his team following the exits of Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi during the current transfer window. Both players, who were instrumental in Pirates' treble-winning season last year, have moved on to new clubs - Mofokeng joining Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Maswanganyi to Bahrain Premier League side Alkhaldiya Sports Club. Speaking after Pirates' 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinal at the Orlando Stadium, Ouaddou acknowledged the difficulty in replacing such influential players. \"We had very good profiles with Mofokeng, with Tito (Patrick Maswanganyi) and for a coach it’s not easy to lose these kind of profiles but it’s life, it’s the life of football,\" he said. Ouaddou emphasized that his focus is on delivering results and not making excuses, stating that rebuilding takes time and patience. He highlighted the importance of limiting touches in crowded areas and training the new players to make quick decisions before receiving the ball. Despite the setbacks, Ouaddou remained optimistic about the team's performance, expressing satisfaction with their display during the MTN8 match. Pirates will now shift their attention to their upcoming Betway Premiership match against Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.",
  "summary": "\"My job is not to look for excuses,\" said Ouaddou.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou discusses rebuilding team after Mofokeng and Maswanganyi departures.",
    "Mofokeng joins Belgian Pro League, Maswanganyi moves to Bahrain Premier League.",
    "Ouaddou focuses on results, emphasizes patience in rebuilding."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}