Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has believes Patrick Maswanganyi is not worried about the criticism he has received on social media.
Since joining from SuperSport United, Maswanganyi was named PSL Player’s Player of the Season, Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament and Midfielder of the Season.
His fine performances also earned him a call-up to Hugo Broos’ Bafana squad, although his impact for the national team has been limited so far.
After his latest appearances off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Congo Brazzaville sections of social media criticised Tito, but Riveiro says the player won’t be affected by comments from individuals he doesn’t even know.
“We are leaving a lot of things for granted with those type of questions, you are already saying that Tito is affected about something where you don’t really know if he’s affected,” Riveiro stated when asked how he helps his player to improve his mental state after the criticism he received following his Bafana performance.
“So it’s difficult for me to answer about a third person who is not here, taking it for granted that he is affected – I mean he is not!
We as professionals we cannot afford to put our emotions or our mood in the hands of people that we don’t even know.
“When we speak about platforms like social media or stuff like, it’s something really abstract. You can criticise me here, we are facing each other and I can answer that criticism, but nothing else.
“Our players are strong enough, they have well-surrounded people who support them in every possible scenario. We talk about performances and in this case we are fully behind our players.
“I think every time our players are going to the national team, they are giving their all – in good games or in bad game, like the last one. I don’t think it was a problem of Tito that Bafana didn’t get the result.Best video game consoles
“As usual, we are really proud of them when they go, we are really proud of them when they are back and it’s going to continue of being the same, not only with Patrick but with everybody else.
“But take for granted that somebody is affected because someone is posting whatever – because I’m not there, for the same reason.”
“I don’t want to get affected by it and I’m not 100% that I would be ready or willing to deal with those comments.
“My intention was not to be rude about that but that’s my point – when the criticism comes from where exactly?”
Pirates will face Magesi in the Carling Knockout Last 16 at Orlando Stadium at 15:00 on Saturday
