Orlando Pirates are due to have a new captain starting next season following the exit of Innocent Maela, who called time on his career at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Maela had been the club captain even though he was rarely utilised by former coach Jose Riveiro, especially in his final two seasons at the club.
When he did not play, the armband changed hands with defenders Olisa Ndah and Nkosinathi Sibisi captaining the side last season while there were occasions when striker Tshegofatso Mabasa was handed the responsibility.
Pirates have multiple captain material
Now with Maela gone, new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is set to name a new captain ahead of their season-opener, the MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City on Saturday August 3, and Pirates media officer Thandi Merafe has given a hint on who is likely to be the new skipper.
“Let us keep that as a surprise, our first match of the season will be on the 2nd of August when we will be defending our trophy as the MTN8 champions at Orlando Stadium,” Merafe said on 5FM, when she was hosted alongside Pirate stars Mabasa, Sibisi, Ndah and midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula.
She then went on to suggest that it will likely be one of the four players in the studio, which gives an indication on who will be leading Pirates on the pitch from next season.
Who will be Bucs skipper next season?
“It will be a big reveal, just look out for the armband. What I can give a hint, it might be a 50 per cent chance that it is in this lineup,” she added, pointing to the four players who accompanied her to the studio.
Ndah started last season wearing the armband before his long-term injury in October and in his absence, it was Sibisi captaining the side which points to a likely choice between the two.
Makhaula, 35, and Mabasa, 28, have an outside chance given their experience but there is also defender Thabiso Sesane and midfielder Thalente Mbatha, both 25, who have exhibited leadership qualities during their time at the club despite their relatively young age.
