Ex-Pirates coach explains why Maela decision is spot on

Former Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios has explained why Orlando Pirates are spot-on to name Innocent Maela the club’s new captain. 

Maela replaces Happy Jele, who left the club after 16 years as a Buccaneer, and will be deputised by Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm the appointment of a new captain and Vice-Captain ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season. Long-serving defender Innocent Maela will take over the captaincy role following the departure of Happy Jele, with Goalkeeper Richard Ofori taking up the role as Vice-Captain,” read the club statement.

Here’s why Palacios believes Pirates’ decision is bang on:

1. He understands the club’s culture 

Palacios, who coached ‘Deco’ in the development side, is convinced that the best Pirates captains understand the club’s culture. The Bafana Bafana defender joined the club as a 17-year-old teenager before two loan spells to Witbank Spurs and Thanda Royal Zulu.

“He has been there from the Yebo Yes days, and that’s long enough to understand what Pirates are about and what it takes to be a Pirates player,” Palacios told FARPost.

The Witbank-born star came through the club’s junior ranks before having two loan spells at Witbank Spurs and Thanda Royal Zulu, respectively. The left-back was called back to the club in 2017 after helping the KZN outfit gain promotion to the elite league.

2. He’s disciplined and exemplary 

Palacios, who has known Maela since his teenage days, says the Bafana star is one of the most disciplined footballers he knows. 

“I’ve not seen any scandal about him in the media; he is mature. He handles himself well,” said Palacios, who coached Maela’s dad, Eric Masilela, at Witbank Black Aces in 1989. 

The Bucs’ statement announcing the captaincy echoed the same sentiment. “A Captain is a leader of men, a player who embodies the club’s core values. 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.”

3. He’s a born leader

This is not the first time Maela has been a club captain. When he was loaned Thanda Roya Zulu as a youngster, he captained the club, guiding them to the first division title. “It’s important to be a natural leader. Happy Jele was. Lucky Lekgwathi was, and I think Innocent is. I’ve worked with all three.”

The club’s statement further said: “Throughout his football journey, which spans over ten years, the 29-year-old has been consistent and never allowed situation (good or bad) to change his approach.”

4. National team experience 

Maela, who turns 30 next month, has been part of the national team set up since the Four-Nations tournament in Zambia in March 2018. He was also part of the squad that represented the country at the Africa Cup of Nations finals held in Egypt in June 2019. 

Palacios believes a player who gets call-ups for the national team is the envy of his teammates. He is convinced it’s even inspiring when the player called is the captain.

“He is in the national team; it means he has a lot of experience,” added the Peruvian coach.

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