Orlando Pirates legend Innocent Maela has backed the trio of Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki and Mbekezeli Mbokazi to lead the team with grace and wisdom ahead of a daunting 2025/26 campaign.
Sibisi was named the club’s new captain following Maela’s retirement, with Xoki and youngster Mbokazi as his deputies.
Maela, who wore the armband since 2022 when he took over from Happy Jele, said the three deserved to be elected and in his conversations with them, wished them well and that he trusts them to lead with grace and wisdom.
The 32-year-old believes this is particularly a great opportunity for Mbokazi saying the responsibility will help him grow and help him become a good influence.
“I think it was well deserved;the people that were elected,” said Maela.
“And I had a word with them, you know wishing them grace and wisdom for the journey that they are partaking now. For Mbokazi I mean, what can you say, as young as he is, for him to be blessed with this responsibility I think it will force him to grow within himself, to become a better human being, become a better player and I mean, be a good influence wherever he is, whether he’s representing the team or wherever he is in his personal space.
“But I think it will force him to act and behave in a responsible way now that he’s in this position. And I wish the gents all the best of luck. I know they’re more than capable of leading this great institution to even more success. You know, even when I was there before you can recall Sibisi and Xoki were almost in that position, if I can say so.
“I wish them all the best of luck, and I know they will do well.”
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