Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given his honest assessment of Patrick Maswanganyi and Sipho Mbule’s impact at the club in the current 2025/26 season.
The duo played a huge role in Pirates’ 4-1 victory over Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila [TTM] in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates scored two goals in each half after Andre de Jong and Thalente Mbatha scored in the first-half while Mbule and Maswanganyi came on as second-half substitutes to get onto the score sheet.
The Soweto giants booked a spot in the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup to join teams such as Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Durban City FC, Sekhukhune United, Upington City FC, Vasco Da Gama, and Casric Stars.
Before the match against TTM, Mbule missed all three matches for the Sea Robbers in 2026 against Sekhukhune, Magesi FC, and AmaZulu FC in the Betway Premiership.
Meanwhile, Maswanganyi has mostly been used as a second-half substitute as Relebohile Mofokeng has been playing in the Number 10 role for Pirates.
In the current campaign, Mbule has made 17 appearances across all competitions, netting once, while ‘Tito’ has matched that game count with an impressive return of five goals and three assists.”
OUADDOU SAYS MBULE AND MASWANGANYI WILL BE IMPORTANT IN THE TITLE RACE
Pirates coach, Ouaddou, has praised the impact of Mbule and Maswanganyi, revealing that the two midfielders will be important for the club in the second round of the campaign.
“You are right to mention that [Maswanganyi and Mbule’s impact]. I was very happy about the commitment and the impact of the two players. I knew that they would give their best,” Ouaddou said.
“We brought them in because we needed the profile of players who can find spaces between the lines, the vertical passes. And these two players have the ability to find players between the lines.
“And they converted the chances they had, I’m happy because they give us confidence for the future. I always say that all the players are important and we will need them for the title race.”
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