Orlando Pirates drew their second match in the CAF Champions League group stages on Saturday against Al Ahly, but the question for many was about Patrick Maswanganyi's absence from the matchday squad, and insiders have indicated what could have led to his omission.
Pirates are tied on four points with Ahly following their 0-0 draw at the Orlando Stadium although the Egyptian giants are at the summit of Group C standings courtesy of their better goal difference, with CR Belouizdad in third place following their 1-0 win over Stade d'Abidjan on Saturday evening.
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Pirates coach Jose Riveiro opted to leave Maswanganyi out of the team against Ahly besides him being one of the in-form players, and sources have indicated why.
"With the hectic schedule that the team is having, it won't be unusual for players to miss some of the games. You can call it rotation, but the coach isn't calling it that, but he is managing the players. It happened with (Monnapule) Saleng recently and the same kinds of questions were asked, and look what happened on Saturday, the guy was back in the team and played well. He looked fresh. When he (Saleng) didn't play in some games, things were being said that he is not happy and all that, and I see now with Tito (Maswanganyi) that the rumours have started as well but that is not the case," said the source.
Meanwhile, Riveiro wouldn't say exactly as to why Maswanganyi wasn't included in Bucs' matchday squad apart from only hinting that it could be something to do with his 'health', without confirming whether the star player was injured or not.
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"It's for reasons that I cannot speak about, he was not available for selection. Like I said many times, I don't feel that I have the right to speak about anybody's health, only maybe about mine. But he was not available for selection to the 20 (man squad), and I don't think that we have any reason to… I don't know how to say this without giving you a headline. But after this performance to be sitting here talking about one player that didn't play is a little bit disappointing for me, to be honest. I think we have to talk about the game that Saleng, Rele (Relebohile Mofokeng), (Deon) Hotto, and everybody coming from the bench played, because they did a fantastic job, it was an excellent match. So, speaking about anything else than the one who was the contagonist today, I think it's not the right moment, but just to answer your question, he was not available for selection," said Riveiro, speaking to journalists.
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