Orlando Pirates News Today: Maswanganyi nearing Gulf transfer, Pedersen’s debut assessed & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, as Patrick Maswanganyi edges closer to a move out of Soweto, Abdeslam Ouaddou gives his verdict on Sebastian Pedersen’s first appearance in Buccaneer colours, and the coach sheds light on the absences at the MTN8 semi-final first leg.

Maswanganyi closing in on a move to the Gulf

Orlando Pirates are closer to agreeing a deal with an unnamed Bahraini club for the transfer of midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi, as first reported by SABC Sport.

The 28-year-old’s departure has been building for some time — he almost left for Chippa United at the start of last season, just before the Buccaneers claimed the league title. This time, the deal appears considerably more advanced.

A telling sign of the move’s imminence came on Saturday, when Maswanganyi was absent for the MTN8 semi-final first leg against Sekhukhune United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. He would join fellow South African Menzi Masuku in the Gulf.

Ouaddou comments on Pedersen debut

Orlando Pirates secured a narrow 1-0 win away at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in the MTN8 semi-final first leg, with Deon Hotto scoring the only goal. Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen was introduced in the 65th minute for his debut.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou offered a largely positive assessment of what he saw, while identifying the area where more work is still needed.

“I think he came with a lot of [desire] to score if he got a chance to open his goal-scoring account, he joined the fighting spirit of our team. You can see really that he’s clever,” said Ouaddou.

“He’s clever in the game, he’s going in the space that we want to find him. He’s able to find the deep. We’re able to find him in the pocket.

“His technique quality is very interesting. I’m sure that he’s going to really help the team. But like I said in the press conference, the basics in football, even if you have such quality, you need good preparation.”

Pirates coach gives Moremi update, mum on Maswanganyi

Abdeslam Ouaddou addressed the two notable absentees from Pirates’ squad for the Sekhukhune clash — Tshepang Moremi and Patrick Maswanganyi.

On Moremi, the coach confirmed the Bafana Bafana winger was kept out as a precautionary measure after picking up a knock in his previous outing, and expressed hope that he would be available for the second leg against the same opponents.

𝑶𝒖𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒐𝒖 𝑻𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕-𝑳𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝑶𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒊 𝑬𝒙𝒊𝒕 𝑹𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔, 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊’𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑰𝒏 𝑴𝑻𝑵8 𝑾𝒊𝒏

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou remained coy regarding the exit rumours surrounding Patrick Maswanganyi… pic.twitter.com/2a6bMUazUt

— FARPost (@FARPostZA) August 22, 2026

When it came to Maswanganyi, Ouaddou was notably guarded.

“He was available but I cannot speak about something that I don’t masterise in,” Ouaddou told iDiski Times.