Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Patrick Maswanganyi is peaking at an ideal moment in the season as the team seeks to secure the Betway Premiership title.
Maswanganyi continued his scoring form, contributing to Pirates’ 3-0 win over Magesi FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
The attacking midfielder has seen a positive turnaround after experiencing difficulty finding his rhythm in the campaign’s earlier stages.
Earlier this week, he also tallied a goal and an assist in the team’s solid 2-0 victory against Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium.
Despite earning the PSL Players’ Player of the Season accolade for the 2023/24 season, he initially struggled to maintain consistency while adapting to Ouaddou’s rigorous tactical style.
Additionally, his preferred No.10 position was often filled by emerging talent Relebohile Mofokeng, who is considered a strong contender for the PSL Footballer of the Season title.
Nevertheless, when given the chance, Maswanganyi has made notable contributions.
This season, he has recorded nine goals and three assists across 31 matches, marking him as the most effective attacker for Pirates based on minutes played.
Ouaddou feels Maswanganyi now comprehends his role within the team’s structure.
“Fantastic. I think it is fantastic, first of all, for him, and fantastic for the club,” said Ouaddou.
“At the beginning of the season, maybe the way I wanted us to play was a little too intense for him. But now he understands it. He knows the expectations.”
The Pirates coach also commended Maswanganyi’s creativity and calmness in critical attacking situations.
“He can score, provide assists, and he has the freedom to operate in those areas,” added the Moroccan coach.
“It is very important to have a player like that.”
As Pirates aim for their first league title since the 2011/12 season, Ouaddou hopes Maswanganyi can sustain his strong performance in the upcoming matches against Durban City FC and Orbit College FC.
