Jose Defends Tito: People Don’t Know What They Are Talking About
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has dismissed criticism of Patrick Maswanganyi’s form this season, stating that he won’t waste time paying attention to social media comments.
Maswanganyi, the PSL Players’ Player of the Season last term, has struggled to replicate his previous form, leading to criticism online. During the October FIFA break, Maswanganyi did not feature in Bafana Bafana’s 5-0 victory over Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
In the return leg, Maswanganyi came on for the injured Themba Zwane but failed to make a significant impact as Bafana drew 1-1. With Zwane out for four to six months, Maswanganyi will need to step up in upcoming qualifiers.
“Like I have said to before, we are giving a lot of things for granted with those type of questions because you are already saying Tito is affecting or affected by something that you don’t really know if he is affected,” said Riveiro.
“So, it’s difficult for me to answer about a third person who is not here, taking it for granted that he is affected – I mean he is not.
“As professionals, we cannot afford to put our emotions or our mood in the hands of people that we don’t even know.
“When we speak about platforms like social media or stuff like that, it’s something abstract. You can criticize me here, we are facing each other, and I can answer that criticism, but nothing else.
“Our players are strong enough; they have well-surrounded people who support them in every possible scenario. We talk about performances and in this case, we are fully behind our players.
“I think every time our players are going to the national team, they are giving their all – in good games or in bad game, like the last one. I don’t think it was a problem of Tito that Bafana didn’t get the result.
“As usual, we are really proud of them when they go, we are really proud of them when they are back and it’s going to continue of being the same, not only with Patrick but with everybody else.
“But take for granted that somebody is affected because someone is posting whatever – because I’m not there, for the same reason. I don’t want to get affected by it and I’m not 100% that I would be ready or willing to deal with those comments.
“My intention was not to be rude about that but that’s my point – when the criticism comes from where exactly?”
After Maswanganyi’s lackluster performance during the FIFA break, Pirates will hope he can regain his form when they host Magesi in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15:00).
