Former player questions suitability of Orlando Pirates’ new style for Patrick Maswanganyi
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo suggests that Patrick Maswanganyi’s performance under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou could be enhanced by involving him more in plays, as the current style may not suit his ball-playing abilities. Picture: Zamani Makautsi/BackpagePix
Image: Zamani Makautsi/BackpagePix
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo has weighed in on the Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi situation at the Soweto Giants.
Maswanganyi was unceremoniously subbed in the first half of their MTN8 semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend.
With host Sundowns leading 1-0 and 2-1 on aggregate over the two-legged clash, Maswanganyi was whipped off six minutes before half-time on Saturday.
The move paid off with Bandile Shandu coming on and allowing Pirates to change their attacking approach in the game they would go on to win on penalties.
Mlambo Suggests Strategies to Enhance Maswanganyi’s Performance Under New Pirates Coach Ouaddou
“’Tito’ is a good player, he wouldn’t be called to the national team if he wasn’t,” said Mlambo on the Switch On Network YouTube Channel.
“Maybe the style of play of the coach is not suiting him. ‘Tito’ is a ball player, he’s not a player where you have to see him chasing, going up and down.”
The solution for new Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou would be to get Maswanganyi more involved in the plays, believed Mlambo.
“You need to get him more on the ball. If you’re not giving him the ball and allowing him to have the ball, then you’re limiting his creativity,” said Mlambo.
”Always having to play diagonal balls, it has its advantage, but when wingers are playing as half-10s, it’s an overload in a compressed space. So, you need players who are able to deal with that.
“You’re going to play with diagonal dodges from the centre-backs, how do I involve myself? As a player, you have to adjust, unfortunately.”