Orlando Pirates haven't confirmed their new captain ahead of the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season.
Innocent Maela, who was the Sea Robbers' skipper, is no longer with the Buccaneers following his release a couple of weeks ago alongside Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, and Miguel Timm. The four players were deemed surplus to requirements, leading to their exits, which gave Bucs a chance to bring in more new faces.
Ahead of the new campaign, newly appointed coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has a wide pool of players to select his captain from. Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki and Olisa Ndah are just some of the names.
Is Xoki the man who can take over from Maela?
Bucs legend Edward Motale has explained why he believes Xoki, who has been with the team since 2022, has what it takes to lead the Soweto giants.
“Since Maela is no longer there, I think Xoki must be the captain because he was like Maela's deputy last season already, and he is a disciplined guy who is so gentle. Xoki has always been there for the team even when he was dealing with family issues and it would be unfair to say he mustn't be the captain because he didn't play much last season, especially because we don't know who'll play under the new coach,” he told Sowetan.
“If you don't appoint Xoki as a captain, the harmony in that dressing room would be affected big time because he's been there and led well whenever he was standing in for Maela.”
Motale concluded by revealing what his role was when he was serving as the team's captain, “Mine was simple, I was telling these boys what Pirates are and what the expectations are. I also advised them to invest well because football is a short career.”
