Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained why Patrick Maswanganyi was not in the squad to face African champions Al Ahly.
The Buccaneers drew 0-0 with Al Ahly in a highly tactical battle at a sold-out eSgodini, with one of the biggest talking points coming from before the match.
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Maswanganyi, arguably Pirates’ most important player, didn’t make the match-day squad, while Monnapule Saleng returned to the starting XI.
After the game, Riveiro remained tight-lipped on Tito’s absence, but cited health reasons.
“He was not available for selection today,” he said when asked by iDiski Times about the absence of his talisman.
“Like I said many times I don’t feel I have the right to speak about somebody’s health, maybe about mine. But he was not available for selection to the 20.
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“I don’t think, we have any reason to – I don’t know how to say it without any headline – sorry but after this performance to sit here and talk about one player who didn’t play, it’s a little bit disappointing for me.
“I think we have to talk about the game that Saleng, Rele, Hotto, everybody coming from the bench played, because they did a fantastic job, it was an excellent match.
“Speaking about anyone who were not the protagonists today, I think it’s not the right moment. But just to answer your question, he was not available for selection.”
