Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained the reasons behind his approval of Patrick Maswanganyi’s showboating antics, urging the player to maintain his expressive style on the pitch.
The highly-rated attacker has displayed his impressive repertoire of skills in the Betway Premiership since joining Pirates in July 2023 from SuperSport United. He demonstrated his flashy and flamboyant skills with moves like standing on the ball with both feet and his intricate footwork.
Maswanganyi has been the heartbeat of the Pirates’ attack with his ability to score and create goals. Since his arrival at the Buccaneers, ‘Tito’ has scored 15 goals and provided 15 assists in 70 appearances across all competitions.
The Bafana Bafana international has also won two MTN8 titles and the Nedbank Cup trophy with Pirates since arriving at the start of last season.
Maswanganyi has become a fan-favorite at the Soweto giants, thanks to his dazzling skills. Yet, his style of play has sparked a sharp divide, with some supporters applauding his tricks, and others, notably Pirates legend Jomo Sono, criticising them.
JOSE RIVEIRO REVEALS THAT SHOWBOATING IS IMPORTANT FOR MASWANGANYI’S CONFIDENCE
The Spanish tactician has encouraged the 26-year-old to utilise his ‘tricks’ during matches, as the Bucs coach believes showboating is beneficial for Tito’s confidence and ‘arrogance.’
“Tito is the type of player that South African football fans want to see on the field, especially in big games. He brings flair, the identity of our football and the origin of our football,” Riveiro said on the Bucs Camp: The Coach on Pirates TV.
“So Tito comes from that background, and he must be himself, but he must not forget that we’re playing to win. We are in the business of winning and getting three points, we are not in the business of stepping onto the ball, but I think Tito is one of those players that needs to do those things [showboating] to get the confidence and the arrogance which is necessary.”
Maswanganyi also shared the same sentiment on showboating, revealing that it’s something that gives him and his teammates confidence.
“I have different ways of playing, I’m able to play without dribbling. I feel like when I’m dribbling, that gets me into the game,” Maswanganyi said.
“Sometimes the dribbling even helps the people I’m playing with because when I start doing the tricks, you can see that it’s giving us the rhythm. When I’m not dribbling, the coach thinks that I don’t want to play.”
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