Wednesday evening wasn’t just another match day at Orlando Stadium — it was the end of an era for Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela.
While the Buccaneers were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Magesi, all eyes were on Maela as he made his final appearance in the famous black and white jersey.
After 67 minutes on the pitch, the 32-year-old left-back was subbed off, drawing applause and emotional tributes from the home crowd.
It wasn’t about the scoreline anymore — it was about honouring a loyal servant who had poured eight years into the club.
Familiar Faces Came to Say Goodbye
It wasn’t just Pirates fans filling the stands — some high-profile names showed up to show their respect.
Kaizer Chiefs legend Tsepo Masilela and Bafana Bafana star Percy Tau were both spotted in the crowd, there to support Maela in his farewell game.
That says a lot about the kind of respect he’s earned across the South African football community.
A Coach’s Tribute to a Leader
In the post-match press conference, Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi took a moment to reflect on Maela’s impact, both on and off the pitch.
He recalled the first time he saw Maela playing for Thanda Royal Zulu, back when Ncikazi was still coaching in KwaZulu-Natal.
“I remember wanting to sign him immediately,” Ncikazi shared.
“But I was told, ‘No, he belongs to the big institution already.’”
Ncikazi didn’t just praise Maela’s skills — he spoke about his character.
“He’s a great human being. We often forget that players are part of society, too.
It’s rare to find someone who’s not only a top player but also a role model off the field.
Maela is that kind of person.”
A New Path Ahead
While the chapter with Orlando Pirates may be closing, Maela’s story isn’t ending just yet.
Ncikazi hinted that the defender is stepping into a new role — possibly away from playing — but certainly not away from football.
“He’s incredibly smart and well-educated,” Ncikazi said.
“This is just a new direction, not a full stop.
His next move will reflect who he is — thoughtful, grounded, and focused.”
Leadership Changes at Pirates
With Maela hanging up his boots for Pirates, the armband now passes to another capable leader — Tapelo Xoki.
The towering centre-back has already had two seasons of experience captaining the side in Maela’s absence, so the transition should be a smooth one.