Carling Knockout Final: Why Patrick Maswanganyi Is Not Playing Against Marumo Gallants?

Orlando Pirates will head into Saturday’s Carling Knockout Cup final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium without one of their most influential midfielders, Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi after the playmaker was suspended.

Maswanganyi picked up his fourth yellow card of the season during Pirates’ 2–0 victory over Durban City on November 29, triggering an automatic suspension under PSL disciplinary rules. The caution came at the worst possible time, ruling him out of the showdown with Marumo Gallants.

The midfielder had been walking a disciplinary tightrope for weeks, with coaches aware that one more booking would sideline him for the final. Unfortunately for Pirates, that scenario has now materialized.

Second Cup Final Blow

This is the second major final Maswanganyi will miss in the 2025/26 season. Earlier, he was absent from the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC due to injury. His recurring absence in big matches has become a frustrating trend for the Buccaneers.

Maswanganyi has been a creative spark for Pirates this season, contributing four goals and two assists in 14 appearances across all competitions. His ability to unlock defenses and dictate play from midfield will be sorely missed.

Co-coaches Abdeslam Ouaddou and Hugo Broos now face a tactical headache. Possible replacements include Oswin Appollis and Makhehlene Makhaula, but neither offers the same attacking flair as Maswanganyi.