Orlando Pirates: New captain set to be selected

Orlando Pirates are set to appoint a new captain to wear the famous Bucs captaincy armband. So, who will be the next Bucs captain?

Orlando Pirates Innocent Maela, Evidence Makgopa and Thabiso Lebitso celebrate a goal against Stellenbosch FC. Image: FootballSA

Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela contract is set to expire in a few months.

Orlando Pirates will have to appoint a new captain soon.

That is if they do not offer Innocent Maela a new contract with the Bucs captains contract set to expire in June 2025.

PIRATES CAPTAIN RUNNING OUT OF TIME

Maela has struggled for game time under Jose Riveiro at Pirates this season.

Now, with his contract set to expire, the captaincy armband looks set to become available. Furthermore, if he does leave in June then Riveiro and co will be using the next few months to choose a future captain.

As things stand, Pirates are not planning on reneweing his playing contract. Moreover, they are looking at offering Maela a role amongst management.

“For now it seems the main focus is not on his playing contract but what the team could offer him outside the field of play. They don’t want to see what happened to Happy Jele where the team wanted him to stay outside the playing side. Whether it’s in management, media or even in coaching the juniors, but that is what the team is working on together with the player himself (to discuss the future),” the report read on SoccerLaduma.

Therefore, he is more likely to transition from a player to coach at the end of the season. Thus, opening the door up to a new Pirates captain.

FUTURE BUCS CAPTAIN?

Pirates possess leaders all over the pitch. Many players in their current squad are capable of leading the Soweto giants in the near future.

Recently, the likes of Bucs legend Happy Jele ad legend Richard Ofori have left Mayfair. In their absence, Maela stepped up.

Currently, the likes of Nkosinathi Sibisi, Paseko Mako, Tapelo Loki and Deon Hotto possess the most experience in the squad.

WHO SHOULD BE THE NEXT PIRATES CAPTAIN?

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