Game On! 'Tito' Maswanganyi to unleash his magic for Orlando Pirates against Stellenbosch

Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou of Orlando Pirates is pleased about the return of midfielder Patrick 'Tito' Maswanganyi, who has been cleared to play in the upcoming MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC this Saturday.

The match will take place at Mbombela Stadium, which sold out shortly after ticket sales opened last week.

Maswanganyi suffered an injury during Pirates' last league match against Chippa United. He arrived at the national team's camp injured early last week, and had to withdraw from the Bafana Bafana squad for the important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.

However, the international break has afforded him time to recover fully, and his re-entry into training marks a significant boost for the Buccaneers.

“If you see him on the pitch, it means the medical department has cleared him to be there,” Ouaddou confirmed shortly after Wednesday’s training session.

The coach expressed his relief that the injury wasn’t serious, saying, “I feel sad whenever my players are injured. So, I’m glad he is with us.”

In addition to Maswanganyi, Pirates have had Nkosinathi Sibisi back in training, alongside Thabiso Sesane and Makhehlene Makhaula. The latter two are less likely to feature in the fixture. Maswanganyi and Sibisi are the most probable candidates to impact the matchday squad as the team ramps up its preparations.

While missing eight players during match preparation poses challenges for many teams, Ouaddou has downplayed any potential disruption. The absentees were on international duty and have returned just in time for the final, which will see Pirates seek to clinch the MTN8 trophy for the fourth consecutive year.

Ouaddou stated, “I believe it doesn't impact our work at all. This is a part of the responsibilities that come with being a big club. Orlando Pirates is indeed a big club, and we have international players. I mentioned that we must manage this situation effectively.”

He observed that the essential aspects of preparation had already been completed. "The majority of the work has been done during the preparation. Teaching them the principles and ensuring their fitness is the most important part," he said.

This upcoming clash at Mbombela Stadium is particularly significant, as it serves as a rematch of last year's final, in which Pirates emerged victorious.

Pirates claimed a hat-trick of MTN8 titles between 2022 and 2024 and are seeking to become the first club ever to win the competition four years in a row. It will be their fifth final in six years, following their victory in 2020.

Since 2008, Pirates have played in eight MTN8 finals, more than any other team by far. They have won six of those, for a 75%-win ratio.

Fans can rest assured that the pitch will be in excellent condition, thanks to the expertise and diligence of stadium manager Roelf Kotze.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Kotze emphasised that the quality of the pitch is often overlooked but is integral to the footballing spectacle.

Kotze said, “The most important thing about this event is the pitch. It’s about football. Once you get everybody in the stadium, the first thing people normally do is look at the pitch. Everybody has a comment, be it good or bad.

“I can assure you, the pitch is in great condition. It will showcase the stadium.”