Former Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi has opened up about the emotional challenges he faced while playing for the Soweto-based club, revealing that criticism from supporters on social media had a painful impact on his family.

The 28-year-old footballer left Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the current season and continued his career abroad following a difficult period at the club. Although Maswanganyi says he had learned to handle negative comments directed at him, seeing his family affected by the criticism became increasingly difficult.

During his time at Pirates, the midfielder frequently found himself at the centre of debates among supporters. While some fans praised his contributions, others regularly questioned his performances and expressed their disappointment online.

His situation also attracted attention following remarks by Pirates legend Jomo Sono, who made a controversial comparison involving an ant and an elephant. However, Maswanganyi insists that Sono's comments did not personally affect him.

Speaking to iDiski Times, the former Buccaneers player explained that criticism had been directed at him since his debut at the club, but he had never allowed it to influence his performances.

He revealed that the biggest problem arose when his family started experiencing emotional distress because of the negative comments. Some of his loved ones reportedly became so uncomfortable that they did not want him to attend training or continue playing for Pirates.

According to Maswanganyi, his family even suggested that he should consider quitting football to escape the negativity.

The midfielder explained that he tried to make them understand that criticism was sometimes part of professional football, as supporters often wanted players to improve.

He added that if the situation had only affected him personally, he might still be playing for Orlando Pirates today.

Maswanganyi's revelations suggest that his departure was influenced by personal and family considerations, not just football-related matters. His experience also highlights how online criticism can affect footballers beyond the pitch, sometimes placing emotional pressure on the people closest to them.

https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/betway-premiership/tito-shares-thoughts-on-critical-comments-from-jomo-others/