Orlando Pirates are believed to be working on a new role for their captain, Innocent Maela, the Siya crew has been informed.
Maela has recently experienced reduced playing time, and sources close to the club have indicated that since his playing contract is set to expire in June this year, then Bucs are considering offering him a managerial position.
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The insiders added that the club holds great trust and respect for Maela and is keen to retain his presence even if his playing career ends sooner.
"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 his future)," the Siya source stated.
A second source mentioned that this transition is partly why the team is seeking a new left-back, potentially recognising that Maela's playing days are nearing an end.
"They have been monitoring Fawaaz Basadien as a replacement for Maela and to give Paseka Mako some competition while at the same time giving Deon Hotto more freedom to attack. They are doing this because they are looking ahead when Maela retires and takes up a different role at the club. They are already working on that," the second insider told Soccer Laduma.
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Maela rejoined Pirates in 2017 after spending three years on loan at Thanda Royal Zulu, helping them secure promotion to the Betway Premiership before their sale to AmaZulu. The 32-year-old has been a regular for Pirates and took over the captaincy from Happy Jele, but since last season, Hotto has seen more playing time at left-back.
This season, Maela has featured in only a few league games. Soccer Laduma reached out to Maela's agent and Pirates, but there was no response at the time of preparing this story.
