Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi opened up about the relentless cyberbullying that made his family urge him to leave South African footballThe former Orlando Pirates star spoke exclusively to the South African Football Journalists Association about how social media hate pushed him to seek peace abroadMaswanganyi also revealed the role a club leader played in his move to Bahraini side Al KhaldiyaFormer Orlando Pirates star Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi has opened up about the cyberbullying that affected his family. Image: titogram.10Source: InstagramPatrick “Tito” Maswanganyi never planned to leave Orlando Pirates in a hurry. But the relentless wave of online abuse directed at him made staying feel impossible, not just for him but for the people closest to him.The former Buccaneers winger, now playing for Al Khaldiya in Bahrain, spoke candidly about cyberbullying during an exclusive interview with the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA) on 9 November 2026. He revealed that the social media hatred he endured became so severe that his family could no longer watch it happen and began pressuring him to walk away from South African football altogether.Read alsoShebeshxt’s mall visit was court-approved, NPA says, as Mzansi question videoFinding peace in BahrainMaswanganyi departed Pirates at the end of August and has since settled into life in Bahrain, featuring in four matches in the Asian Champions League Two division. He described the move as a search for something he had lost at home.
“I’ve always asked the chairman to leave the club because I felt like it was the right moment while I was feeling down,” he said, according to SABC Sport.
“I thought that a new move would help me discover my confidence again, and I felt that Bahrain offered me the best opportunity.”
He added that the idea of leaving had been on his mind for some time and that conversations with club leader Mpumi Khoza had been ongoing long before the eventual departure. When the moment arrived, he said the decision came naturally.Turning negativity into strengthMaswanganyi has also turned his difficult experience into advice for fellow professionals dealing with online criticism. He encourages players to give themselves time and resist allowing social media comments to undermine their confidence.Read alsoYoung woman’s lobola visit cancelled after boyfriend’s family fails to show up
“I always tell my teammates who might be going through something similar that they need to be patient with themselves, and to not think about all the negativity on social media because most of the time those people who type bad things are the same people who want to take pictures with you when they meet you. This is normal,” he said.
The midfielder highlighted the contradiction between how some supporters behave online and how they approach footballers in person. He advised players to recognise that distinction rather than let online hostility define their careers.His relationship with Orlando Pirates also appears to remain intact. Last week, Maswanganyi returned to the Orlando Amstel Arena to watch his former teammates in action. He said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience, showing that his departure has not ended his connection with the club.Tito Maswanganyi has opened up about cyberbullying, revealing why his family wanted him to quit football and how online abuse influenced his Orlando Pirates departure. Image: titogram.10Source: InstagramTito Maswanganyi sends message to Kaizer Chiefs supportersBriefly News previously reported that Patrick Maswanganyi had a message for Kaizer Chiefs supporters following their Carling Knockout Cup victory over Siwelele.The former Orlando Pirates midfielder weighed in on the treatment of young Amakhosi players after Mduduzi Shabalala missed a penalty. He also explained why emerging talents need more patience and encouragement from supporters. Source: Briefly News
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