Tito says online criticism made his family want him to quit football
Patrick 'Tito' Maswanganyi says social media criticism hurt his family so much they wanted him to quit football, and that his move from Orlando Pirates to Bahrain's Al Khaldiya was about peace, not money.
Patrick "Tito" Maswanganyi says he left Orlando Pirates for Bahrain because online criticism was hurting his family so badly that they wanted him to quit football. The 28-year-old told the SA Football Journalists Association (SAFJA) on Monday night that the move to Al Khaldiya SC was about finding peace, not money (Sowetan; Sunday World).
"My family was suffering from the comments that I was getting from [social] media," he said. "They would see those kinds of things and they wanted me to quit football" (Sowetan).
Why did Tito leave Pirates?
He said he had asked the chairman to let him go over a long period, and that the decision started two seasons ago, during Jose Riveiro's final season in charge (Sowetan). Sunday World reports the chairman he spoke to was Irvin Khoza (Sunday World).
He wanted to regain his confidence. "Sometimes I would feel really down," he said, adding that he needed "a space where I felt I could be myself again" (Sowetan).
He told SAFJA he had an agreement with the club that he could leave if an opportunity came, and he asked to go when it did (Goal).
Was the move about money?
No, according to Maswanganyi. "If I wanted more money from Pirates, I would have gotten more money because I would have asked the chairman," he said. "It wasn't even about the money" (Sowetan).
How did the criticism affect his family?
He said he understood criticism as part of being a footballer, but it was "really tough" for his family. Moving far from South Africa, he said, was a way to protect them and help their mental health (Sowetan).
What about his relationship with Ouaddou?
He said he was on good terms with Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou when he left (Sowetan).
What did Tito achieve at Pirates?
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Joined from | SuperSport United, 2023 |
| Appearances | 120 |
| Goals | 28 |
| Assists | 21 |
| 2026/27 before leaving | 1 goal and 1 assist in the first four matches |
| New club | Al Khaldiya SC, Bahrain (move completed in August 2026) |
Source: Goal.
FAQ
Why did Patrick Maswanganyi leave Orlando Pirates?
He told the SA Football Journalists Association that social media criticism was affecting his family, who wanted him to quit football, and that he needed peace and to regain his confidence.
Which club does Tito Maswanganyi play for now?
He plays for Al Khaldiya SC in Bahrain, after leaving Orlando Pirates early in the 2026/27 season.
Did Maswanganyi leave Pirates for money?
He says no. He said he could have asked chairman Irvin Khoza for more money if that was what he wanted.
Sources
- Sowetan: Move to Bahrain was driven by desire for peace, not money, says Tito
- Sunday World: 'My family was suffering' says Maswanganyi after shock Bucs exit
- Goal: Patrick Maswanganyi reveals how he was hounded out of Orlando Pirates
- Africa Soccer: Maswanganyi explains why leaving Pirates was vital for his peace of mind