Maswanganyi explains Pirates exit, citing family pressure and online abuse — ‘I had to protect them

Patrick Maswanganyi has opened up about the personal struggles that influenced his decision to leave Orlando Pirates, revealing that persistent criticism on social media had taken a significant toll on his family and ultimately forced him to prioritise their well-being.

The talented midfielder, who previously represented the Buccaneers, explained that his departure was not simply about football or the pressure associated with performing at one of South Africa’s biggest clubs. Instead, the emotional impact of online abuse directed towards him became increasingly difficult for his loved ones to endure.

Speaking during an interview with the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA), Maswanganyi disclosed that although he understood the criticism that comes with being a professional footballer, his family struggled to cope with the negative comments circulating on social media.

“Everyone knows that I was under a lot of pressure, not really pressure but my family was suffering from the comments that I was getting from the [social] media I’d say,” Maswanganyi explained.

He revealed that the situation became particularly painful when his family members encountered hurtful remarks from supporters, with some even expressing the desire to see him abandon his professional football career.

“So they would see those kind of things [comments] and they wanted me to quit football,” he added.

Maswanganyi acknowledged that criticism and scrutiny are part of the professional game, particularly for players representing clubs with enormous supporter bases and high expectations. However, he admitted that his family did not necessarily share the same understanding of the football environment.

“But for me it was something whereby I would understand because I’m a football player, these things happen. But for them it was really tough for them,” he said.

The midfielder explained that protecting his family became his priority, prompting him to consider a move away from South Africa as a way of creating distance from the negativity surrounding his career.

“I had to make sure that my family is protected from all those things,” he said.

Maswanganyi further expressed his belief that relocating far away from the country would provide his loved ones with a healthier environment and improve their mental well-being.

“I just felt like that if I would move far away from the country things would get better in terms of their [mental] health,” he explained.

His revelation offers a different perspective on the challenges professional footballers face beyond the pitch, highlighting how online criticism can extend beyond players and affect their families.

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