Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has opened up about his relationship with Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi, revealing that the talented midfielder could have been part of the Bafana Bafana squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup had he responded differently to the coach’s demands last season.
Ouaddou made the remarks while bidding farewell to Maswanganyi following Orlando Pirates’ 2–0 victory over Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium. The player has since completed his move to a club in Bahrain, bringing an end to his time with the Buccaneers.
Despite the difficulties they experienced, Ouaddou made it clear that he has enormous respect for Maswanganyi and recognises the player’s ability.
The Pirates coach praised Tito for his contribution to the club, including the trophies he helped the team win, while describing him as a talented footballer capable of playing at the highest level.
However, Ouaddou admitted that their relationship was difficult during the previous season because Maswanganyi initially struggled to adapt to the coach’s expectations, particularly regarding his approach to training and the tactical demands of the game.
According to Ouaddou, success on matchday begins during the week. He stressed that training, discipline, attitude and preparation are just as important as what happens during competitive matches.
The coach explained that he was unhappy with the way Maswanganyi approached training at certain stages of the season. Nevertheless, he was encouraged by the midfielder’s response when preseason began on 24 June.
Ouaddou believes the change in attitude immediately showed in Maswanganyi’s performances, suggesting that the player finally demonstrated the qualities the coach had been demanding.
For Ouaddou, the issue was never a lack of talent. Instead, he believes Tito’s potential was already at World Cup level, but his approach and willingness to follow instructions prevented him from reaching that stage sooner.
“If he had listened to me last season, he definitely would have gone to the World Cup,” Ouaddou said.
The comments provide an interesting insight into what might have been for Maswanganyi. While his chapter at Orlando Pirates has now closed, the coach’s message is clear: talent can open the door, but discipline, attitude and hard work determine how far a player goes.
Ouaddou concluded by wishing Tito every success in the next chapter of his career.
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