Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has weighed in on his future as he comes to the end of his contract with the Sea Robbers.
Maela has not enjoyed a good time in recent years with limited opportunities being afforded to him by coach Jose Roveiro while injuries have also hampered him and this season, he has only played 11 games.
That has got the 32-year-old thinking about his options with reports also suggesting that the club is looking to give him a different role and the defender seems to be thinking in the same direction.
“I think in life, just like anything else, you have to allow succession to happen because we all know you can't play the game forever,” said Maela told the media.
What does Maela want to do next?
“So, if you have an opportunity and God has placed you in a position where you can influence the next generation, you have to take it with both hands.
“But also, you need to have the grave within yourself to accept it because it's easy and nice to have grace when things are happening for you, but it's very difficult not to have the same grace when things are not happening.
“So, I think for me, personally, I truly believe I've had that grace within myself and I thank God and the people that groomed me, when I was young, to be in this position right now.”
Maela, who came through the ranks at Pirates, has so far managed 207 appearances at the club, winning four MTN8 crowns and two Nedbank Cups, and has hinted at giving back to the club by mentoring those coming through.
Pirates captain open to mentoring others
“And I think it's a privilege – more than anything else – to influence the people that are coming after me because, like I'm saying, you can't play the game forever, and I think I've done extremely well for myself, for the club,” he added.
“But we'll see what happens, the season is not done yet, but when the time is right, the club will give out a statement and I will give out a statement, and we will take it from there.
“But it's been a privilege and an honour for me to be in this position to influence the people that are coming after me, and after us.”
Reports suggest Pirates will not extend the left-back’s contract but want to retain him at the club in a different capacity.
