Former Orlando Pirates midfielder and fan favourite Patrick "Tito" Maswanganyi has revealed that his decision to leave the Soweto giants was driven by a desire to regain his confidence, find peace and protect his family from the pressure surrounding his football career.

Maswanganyi was spotted in the stands alongside the Orlando Pirates players during their recent Carling Black Label Cup clash against Sekhukhune United.

Unlike the Pirates players, who were dressed in their club tracksuits, Maswanganyi was in casual clothing and sat among the team, prompting plenty of discussion among football supporters about his current relationship with the club.

Speaking to SAFJA (South African Football Journalists Association), Tito opened up about the circumstances surrounding his departure from Pirates.

The midfielder said he had lengthy discussions with the club’s chairman before eventually requesting permission to leave.

“I asked the chairman for me to leave the club because I felt like it was the right moment for me to leave. And we spoke about it for a very long time about me leaving the club.”

The 29-year-old explained that he believed a move away from South Africa would give him an opportunity to rediscover himself and rebuild his confidence.

“I felt that was going to help me in terms of me being myself and also being able to regain my confidence because sometimes I would feel very down.”

According to Maswanganyi, he had repeatedly communicated his desire to play for another team, with Bahrain eventually emerging as the opportunity he felt was best for him.

“I needed to be in a space where I’m going to feel like myself again and also to try and be at peace.”

He admitted that finding peace had become increasingly important to him.

“I was looking for peace, which when I was in South Africa, I couldn’t have. But for me, I needed peace. So that’s why I went there.”

FAMILY PRESSURE ALSO INFLUENCED HIS DECISION

Maswanganyi also opened up about the impact that criticism from the media and football supporters had on his family.

While he understood that criticism was part of being a professional footballer, he said his family struggled to cope with some of the comments directed at him.

“Everyone knows that I was under a lot of pressure. My family was suffering from the comments that I was getting from the media.”

He said the situation became so difficult that members of his family wanted him to consider walking away from football.

“They would see those kinds of things, and they wanted me to quit football.”

Maswanganyi, however, said he understood that criticism came with the profession and ultimately felt that moving away from South Africa could provide some relief for both himself and his family.

“I just felt like if I would move far away from the country, things would get better… in terms of their health also and also myself, to be in a space whereby I stop thinking a lot.”

The former Pirates player said he had spent considerable time questioning his own performances and ability, but protecting his family became a priority.

“When it comes to family, it’s something whereby I need to make sure that I protect them, and I make decisions that are going to help me and also my family to be in a space where they feel good and I also feel good.”

Maswanganyi’s appearance alongside the Pirates players has now added another layer of intrigue to his relationship with the club, but his comments suggest that his departure was ultimately about finding the right environment for both his football and his family.

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