Orlando Pirates management are planning to offer one of their biggest stars a non-playing role.
Orlando Pirates look set to appoint a new captain.
Moreover, current captain Innocent Maela could become one of the Bucs newest employees…
PIRATES MANAGEMENT SET TO OFFER MAELA A NEW ROLE
Maela’s Pirates contract is set to expire in June 2025.
Meaning, he will no longer be a contracted Bucs player if they do not extend his contract.
Furthermore, Pirates management are leaning towards not extending his playing contract. Instead, they want to offer Maela a new position amongst management, the coaching staff or even the media.
“For now it seems the main focus is not on his playing contract but what the team could offer him outside the field of play. They don’t want to see what happened to Happy Jele where the team wanted him to stay outside the playing side. Whether it’s in management, media or even in coaching the juniors, but that is what the team is working on together with the player himself (to discuss the future),” the report read on SoccerLaduma.
BIG DECISIONS AT RIVEIRO’S DESK
Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has some huge decisions to make.
Firstly, as mentioned, appointing a new captain. If Maela does leave the Bucs in June then Riveiro must decide to either appoint a new captain for the remainder of the season or to give a few players an opportunity before announcing a new captain. Also, he will have a big say on the final decision pertaining to Maema’s Bucs career.
Meanwhile, several of his key players have attracted interest including Patrick Maswanganyi (from Portugal), Relebohile Mofokeng (Al Ahly and abroad) and Monnapule Saleng.
So, he must decide whether or not to accept big money or to hold onto these stars. In the case of Mofokeng, it is a balancing act with pundits split on their opinion on the matter. Half the football punditry feels it will be good for his career. Whilst, the other half believe he is too young to go to Europe.
One thing is certain – Riveiro has his work cut out for him.
IF YOU WERE A MEMBER OR PIRATES MANAGEMENT WHAT POSITION WOULD YOU OFFER MAELA?
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