There’s speculation surrounding who will wear the armband for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the coming months.
Both outfits are dealing with similar problems: an out-of-form captain who the manager is reluctant to start.
Responsibility and leadership are synonymous with the captaincy role, so what good is one when they are not playing?
Innocent Maela and Yusuf Maart are gaining less trust from their managers, made evident by their lack of playing time. In Maart’s case, when he does start, he’s often the first to get substituted while Maela is struggling to break into the team, as Jose Riveiro seems set on 32-year-old defender Dean Hotto.
While many are still determining who Orlando Pirates would promote to the role, Kaizer Chiefs look likely to give new signing Inacio Miguel the responsibility having captained the side during their Cufa Cup victory earlier this month.
Pirates captain speaks out
“I have been questioned a lot with people saying that what kind of captain who doesn’t play and who doesn’t get the opportunity to be in the field, how is he leading the team,” Maela told Pirates TV.
“People said I am only a captain for interviews, I only do press conferences, etc., but they don’t understand the kind of person I am. First, I need to clarify this. Since I started playing, I have always seen myself as a leader of this team, a leader of the group.
“So now, the only difference is that my teammates have voted for me to wear an arm belt. But how I lead myself and the group has always been the same because I always preach that we must put the team first regardless,” explained the experienced defender.
“I always understand what the coach wants from us as players and how the coach selects his starting eleven. However, yes, as a player you always want to be on the field, but I think I have grown, and I’m experienced enough to understand that if Deon Hotto wins, I win, if I win, Paseka Mako wins,” he continued.
“In the end, history does not remember who played how many matches, history will never forget that this certain player won five, or six trophies with Orlando Pirates.
“I always preach about humility, but I’m proud of myself because I feel like I have sacrificed myself, I placed myself backward so that other people can shine, and eventually, we all win.”
Who do you think should be Orlando Pirates captain?
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