Maswanganyi’s Manager Breaks Silence on Al-Khaldiya Exit Rumours

Maswanganyi’s Manager Breaks Silence on Al-Khaldiya Exit Rumours

Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi’s future at Bahraini club Al-Khaldiya SC has become a talking point following speculation surrounding his contract, but his manager, Arnold Rankoko, has strongly dismissed reports that the South African midfielder has left the club.

Rumours circulated on social media over the weekend suggesting that Maswanganyi had mutually terminated his contract with Al-Khaldiya following alleged disciplinary issues. However, Rankoko has rejected the claims, insisting that the reports are false and damaging to the player’s reputation.

Speaking to KickOff on Monday afternoon, Rankoko expressed his frustration over the speculation, arguing that those spreading the story had failed to establish the facts before publishing it.

“There is someone who clearly has it in for this boy,” Rankoko said, firmly denying that Maswanganyi had been dismissed or had decided to leave the club.

The manager further explained that the former Orlando Pirates midfielder was preparing for Al-Khaldiya’s upcoming fixture, pointing to the club’s social media activity as evidence that the player remained part of the team.

Rankoko believes the reports are part of an attempt to portray Maswanganyi negatively, despite what he describes as a different character away from the football pitch.

He urged critics to speak to people who have played alongside the midfielder before forming opinions about his personality. According to Rankoko, Maswanganyi is naturally quiet and should not be judged simply because he does not constantly seek attention.

To illustrate his point, he compared the midfielder’s personality to that of French international Michael Olise, who is also known for maintaining a relatively reserved public profile.

Rankoko also referenced former South African football stars Doctor Khumalo and Brian Baloyi, explaining that their personalities away from football were sometimes misunderstood because of how they conducted themselves on the pitch.

The manager was particularly disappointed that the allegations had spread without the player, his representatives or Al-Khaldiya reportedly being approached for clarification.

He also claimed that similar controversies contributed to Maswanganyi’s decision to pursue opportunities outside South Africa, adding that the midfielder had frequently faced negative stories during his time in the country.

Despite the controversy, Rankoko insists that Maswanganyi remains focused on improving his performances in Bahrain.

According to the manager, the midfielder has featured in all eight of his appearances since joining the club and has registered two assists. He believes the player needs only a goal to build further confidence and improve his attacking contribution.

Al-Khaldiya, who were second in the Bahraini Premier League after six matches, were scheduled to face Al Wahda on Wednesday at 20:15 South African time.

That fixture could provide a further indication of Maswanganyi’s standing within the team. For now, his manager’s message is clear: reports of an exit should not be treated as fact without reliable confirmation.

Source https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2114992107580543198?a=OKsk3cOh2eca50dHwTE&s=19

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