Brighton Mhlongo praises Innocent Maela's humility and leadership
Current and former Premier Soccer League (PSL) stars gathered in Johannesburg this week to honour former Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela, who recently announced his retirement from professional football.
The 33-year-old defender's career was celebrated at a special dinner attended by football figures including Itumeleng Khune, Vincent Pule, and Edward Motale, among others.
Maela, who rose through the Orlando Pirates development ranks, went on to represent Witbank Spurs and Thanda Royal Zulu before returning to the Buccaneers, where he became a key figure and eventually club captain.
His former Pirates teammate Brighton Mhlongo paid tribute to Maela's character and professionalism, describing him as "a true gentleman" whose humility stood out both on and off the pitch.
"I think his humility supersedes him. Whenever you see him, you see a man who understands values and principles and sticks to them," said Mhlongo.
"Even though he is younger than me, I learnt a lot from him. When he came through the development ranks, coaches were already speaking highly of him, and his personality carried him through his career."
Mhlongo also praised Maela for carving out his own identity in football despite being the younger brother of former Bafana Bafana defender Tsepo Masilela.
"A lot of people didn't even know they were brothers. Innocent never used that connection to get ahead. He worked hard, stayed grounded, and earned his place through merit," Mhlongo added.
Reflecting on Maela's journey, Mhlongo said he believes the former captain still has much to contribute to the game.
"He's a knowledgeable man and has a lot to offer football beyond his playing days. I'm excited to see what's next for him," he said.
While many fans felt Maela could have continued playing, the defender said the decision to retire felt right.
"For me, it was the right time. I was searching for that spark, but I couldn't find it anymore. I tried my best to help the team, and I felt it was time," Maela explained.
Maela leaves behind a proud legacy as one of Pirates' most respected captains and a player whose professionalism earned admiration across South African football.
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