Patrick Maswanganyi reveals why he wanted to leave Orlando Pirates in 2024

Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi has opened up about the circumstances behind his departure from Orlando Pirates, revealing that his desire to leave began long before his move to Bahrain.

The 28-year-old, who joined Al Khaldiya SC in August 2026, said he had informed Pirates of his intention to leave early in the 2024/25 season under former coach Jose Riveiro.

Speaking virtually to South African Football Journalists’ Association (SAFJA) members on Monday, Maswanganyi explained that they had agreed he could depart if an opportunity arose.

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“I was happy and playing well,” Maswanganyi shared. “I’ve already told them I wanted to leave and if an opportunity comes, I was going to leave. And we had an agreement about that. So that’s why when it came, I requested to leave the club.”

Family struggles influenced Pirates exit

Maswanganyi said criticism from the media and supporters affected his family, who eventually encouraged him to quit football.

“My family was suffering from the comments that I was getting from the media,” he said. “They would see those kinds of things, and they wanted me to quit football.”

He explained that he tried to convince his family that criticism was part of professional football, but eventually felt that leaving South Africa would give them some relief.

“I wanted to leave because I wanted to be at peace and for my family to make peace,” he said.

Maswanganyi's record at Orlando Pirates

Pirates signed Maswanganyi from SuperSport United in June 2023. He went on to score 28 goals and provide 21 assists in 120 appearances for the Soweto giants.

He left the club in August 2026 after contributing a goal and an assist in his first four matches of the 2026/27 campaign, joining Bahraini side Al Khaldiya SC.

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