Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi has revealed that his surprise departure from the Soweto giants was driven by a desire to regain his peace of mind, rebuild his confidence and protect his family from criticism rather than secure a bigger salary.

The 28-year-old, who joined Bahraini Premier League side Al-Khaldiya SC in August 2026, opened up about the circumstances surrounding his departure during a discussion with members of the South African Football Journalists’ Association (SAFJA) on Monday, 9 November.

Maswanganyi explained that negative comments directed at him during his time in South Africa had begun affecting his family, with some relatives becoming so concerned that they encouraged him to stop playing football.

His comments provide new insight into a transfer that surprised many Orlando Pirates supporters, particularly because the attacking midfielder had been an important member of the club’s squad.

Maswanganyi says he needed peace away from Orlando Pirates

Speaking during the SAFJA engagement, Maswanganyi revealed that the decision to leave Pirates had been developing long before his eventual transfer to Bahrain.

According to Sowetan’s report on the interview, the midfielder had previously discussed his desire to leave with Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza.

Maswanganyi explained that a change of environment offered him an opportunity to rediscover his confidence and enjoy football without the same level of scrutiny he had experienced in South Africa.

“I needed to be in a space where I felt I could be myself again,” Maswanganyi said.

The former Buccaneers star indicated that he had struggled emotionally with the constant attention and criticism surrounding his performances.

Although he accepted that public scrutiny was part of professional football, he believed moving abroad would create a healthier environment for himself and those closest to him.

Social media criticism affected his family

One of the most significant revelations from Maswanganyi’s interview was the impact that criticism on social media had on his family.

While the midfielder said he understood that professional footballers could face criticism from supporters and commentators, his relatives found the situation more difficult to handle.

He explained that negative comments about his performances were being seen by family members, who became increasingly concerned about his wellbeing.

At one point, some relatives reportedly encouraged him to abandon his football career entirely.

Maswanganyi said he did not consider quitting the sport but felt responsible for protecting his family from the emotional consequences of the criticism.

“My family was suffering from the comments,” he explained during the interview.

His account highlights the pressures that can accompany playing for one of South Africa’s most widely supported football clubs, where performances are regularly debated across social media platforms.

For Maswanganyi, moving to Bahrain was an opportunity to establish some distance from that environment while continuing his professional career.

Money was not the reason behind his Bahrain transfer

Maswanganyi also dismissed suggestions that financial considerations were the main motivation behind his decision to leave Orlando Pirates.

He insisted that his priorities were personal wellbeing, family considerations and the opportunity to rebuild his confidence in a different football environment.

According to the midfielder, he could have approached Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza about improved financial terms if earning more money had been his primary objective.

Instead, he wanted an opportunity to continue his career away from the pressures he had experienced at home.

The comments challenge speculation that the move to Bahrain was primarily about obtaining a more lucrative contract.

No independently verified salary comparison between his Orlando Pirates and Al-Khaldiya contracts was provided during the reports reviewed.

Why Orlando Pirates agreed to release Maswanganyi

Orlando Pirates officially announced Maswanganyi’s departure on 24 August 2026, confirming that an agreement had been reached with Al-Khaldiya Sports Club.

In its official transfer announcement, the club explained that Maswanganyi had remained part of the technical team’s plans for the season.

However, following discussions involving the player and his representatives, Pirates agreed to allow him to pursue an opportunity abroad.

The club acknowledged his contribution and described him as a popular figure among supporters who had made a lasting impression during his time with the Buccaneers.

Maswanganyi had joined Orlando Pirates from SuperSport United in 2023 and developed into one of the club’s prominent attacking players.

Known for his technical ability, close control and creativity, the midfielder established a strong connection with supporters, who regularly celebrated his performances with chants of his nickname, Tito.

His departure came after the start of the 2026/27 season, making the transfer particularly unexpected for followers who had anticipated his continued involvement in the team’s campaign.

Maswanganyi addresses relationship with Abdeslam Ouaddou

The former Pirates midfielder also addressed questions about his relationship with coach Abdeslam Ouaddou during his time at the club.

Maswanganyi rejected suggestions that a major breakdown in their relationship had prompted his exit.

He explained that discussions between himself and the coach largely concerned tactical expectations and his responsibilities on the pitch.

The midfielder indicated that he had attempted to meet the coach’s demands and maintained that their working relationship was generally positive.

His explanation places the emphasis on his longstanding desire for a change of environment rather than a dispute with the technical team.

A new chapter for Tito Maswanganyi in Bahrain

Maswanganyi’s move to Al-Khaldiya represents the latest chapter in a career that saw him become a prominent figure in South African domestic football.

The midfielder previously earned recognition for his performances at Orlando Pirates, where his creativity and attacking contributions helped establish him as a supporters’ favourite.

Although the move abroad ended his time with the Buccaneers, his recent remarks suggest that the decision was not a rejection of the club or its supporters.

Instead, Maswanganyi has framed the transfer as a personal decision intended to help him rediscover his confidence and protect those closest to him.

His experience also raises broader questions about the responsibility of supporters and football commentators when criticising players, particularly when online abuse extends beyond professional performances and affects their families.

Maswanganyi remains a player for Al-Khaldiya SC, having completed his transfer from Orlando Pirates in August 2026. His latest comments offer the clearest public explanation yet of the personal circumstances that influenced his decision to continue his career outside South Africa.