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Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpagepix
Michael Madyira

'No one is bigger than the game, not even Patrick Maswanganyi! Abdeslam’s big decision worked for Orlando Pirates; in fact he must never play Tito if he wants to win games, he is the weakest link in that team, Ouaddou depends too much on what fans say' - Fans

The Moroccan coach made a surprise tactical chance which seemed to have paid off and helped send the Buccaneers through to the MTN8 final.

Orlando Pirates sneaked into the MTN8 final following a penalty shootout victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at Licas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

As the Buccaneers trailed 1-0, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou took out Patrick Maswanganyi in the 39th minute and replaced him with right-back Bandile Shandu before moving Kamogelo Sebelebele to play as a right attacker.

It was a tactical move which seemed to have worked for Pirates but former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye was critical of it and GOAL takes a look at what fans say about the retired footballer's remarks.

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  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    No one is bigger than the game

    No one is bigger than the game not even Tito, under fire my foot - Ben Skosana 

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  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    Ouaddou's decision worked

    It's about the team, not individuals. That big decision worked for the team - Lesibana Ramokolo 

  • Jayden Adams, Mamelodi Sundowns, Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    Tito was off!

    Coach won us this game with that substitution ...Tito was off ... Nothing big Tito was off.. Coach won us this game 🤞🏿🤞🏿 - Sipho Maxwell 

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  • Patrick Maswanganyi and Bandile Shandu of Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

    Shandu brought stability

    If you can watch closely before that sub Allende..Matthews and Sales were bossing in control as Pirates weren't balanced, so bringing Shandu brought stability - Ntobz Ndolie

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Ouaddou must never play Tito if he wants to win games

    Under fire for what? And from who? He did very well by replacing him. We were happy he replaced him. In fact, he must never play him if he wants to win games - Richard Munyayi

  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, August 2025Backpage

    Only Cardoso is under fire

    The only coach that is under fire is Cardoso - Quincy Benedict KaPhiri 

  • Kamogelo Sebelebele & Evidence Makgopa, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpagepix

    All players are equal

    Without fear or favor all players are equal. If you are underperforming you open the door for another player, that's why we have a big squad - Jazzman Gontse 

  • Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Maswanganyi is Bucs' weakest link

    The coach has finally seen that he is the weakest link in that team, don't be surprised if he sits on the bench for the next match - Nkululeko Meja Gumede 

  • Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Tito himself didn't have a problem

    And even Tito himself didn't have a problem being subbed - Phaswana Babbs Matlamela 

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Ouaddou depends much on what fans say

    He was supposed to wait for half-time I think he depends too much on what fans say. He saw that people were questioning Maswanganyi's strength in the first leg, but he was supposed to wait for half-time unless he was injured - Sam Tom 

  • Kamogelo Sebelebele, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpagepix

    Ouaddou's tactical masterstroke changing Sebelebele

    Actually, the coach changed Sebelebele from defending that why he changed Maswanganyi and put Shandu - Thabani Qoma 

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