Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has hailed the leadership qualities of team captain Innocent Maela, who bid an emotional farewell to the Buccaneers supporters on Wednesday evening.
Maela received a standing ovation from the Buccaneers fans as he was being substituted in the 66th minute of their 1-1 draw against Magesi FC at the Orlando Stadium. The match was also attended by Maela’s older brother and homeboy Percy Tau.
With his contract set to expire in June, it has been widely reported that Maela is likely to bring an end to his playing days. The 32-year-old has reportedly been offered a different role within the Pirates team.
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The former Bafana Bafana player featured in over 207 games for the Soweto giants, winning seven trophies in the process.
“He’s a product of this institution. I remember the first time I met him, he was playing for Thanda Zulu Royals and I was still in KZN,” Ncikazi told journalists.
“I saw this fast winger that I wanted to poach. But I was told that he belongs to the big institution. So you know what should happen.”
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“A great human being. Sometimes we look at players and we forget that they are members of society. It becomes very good when you have a good human being and a good player. It’s moments like this where you continue being a leader even if you are not inside the field of play.
“He is highly intelligent, and he is highly educated at home and in the institutions of learning. It’s a blessing, and I am sure his career is going to proceed. He’s the type who says it’s not the end now. He’s just taking another step and another direction in his career based on his humanity and his academic learning.”
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