One of the longest-serving players at Orlando Pirates has been named as the next captain of the club.
eMalahleni-born Innocent Maela takes over the captaincy armband from another Mpumalanga-born player, Happy Jele from Middelburg who has left the team after serving the team for a long time.
Goalkeeper Richard Ofori takes up the role of vice-captain.
“A captain is a leader of men, a player who embodies the core values of the club. He inspires those around him and leads in an exemplary manner, on and off the field. Maela not only personifies these values, but he lives them. Throughout his football journey which spans over 10 years, the 29-year-old has been consistent and never allowed a situation (good or bad) to change his approach,” reads a statement from the club.
Maela has come full circle as he started his soccer career as a youngster at the club academy ranks in 2012.
He then joined Witbank Spurs and Thanda Royal in the years after leaving the academy.
In 2017, he was appointed captain at Thanda Royal Zulu which lead to his promotion to the premiership. The following year, he joined the mighty Buccaneers and has never looked back. He has also represented the country several times.
He has 12 caps with the national team, Bafana-Bafana and has played 143 games for his team. He is following in the footsteps of Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns), Tsepho Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs and Amazulu), both eMalahleni-born and left-footed defenders and both played for the national team as well.
Moela will lead the team for the first time when Pirates host Swallows in their season opener at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, August 6.
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