Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela. Photo: Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela. Photo: Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates latest: Riveiro reveals who picked Maela as captain

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed how the club came to a decision to appoint Innocent Maela as the new captain for the upcoming season.

Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela. Photo: Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela. Photo: Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed how the club came to a decision to appoint Innocent Maela as the new captain for the upcoming season.

READ | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LEGEND RECALLS HOW HE ALMOST SIGNED FOR ORLANDO PIRATES

Maela was given the responsibility to lead the Pirates squad following the departure of Happy Jele who spent 16 years at the club.

The left-footer was probably the obvious choice as he is the most senior player having been with Pirates for the past five seasons.

READ | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS CO-COACH MANQOBA MNGQITHI WARNS RONWEN WILLIAMS

And the 44-year-old Spaniard said it wasn’t difficult to agree on Maela as captain simply because he’s a ‘full package’.

Riveiro said the technical team together with the Pirates management were all in agreement that Maela is the right man to captain the side.

READ | FORMER ORLANDO PIRATES DUO RETURN TO AMAKHOSI – REPORT

Goalkeeper Richard Ofori was appointed as Maela’s deputy, and Riveiro is happy with the two players leading the squad.

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro. Photo: Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro. Photo: Orlando Pirates

WHO PICKED MAELA AS ORLANDO PIRATES CAPTAIN?

“The new captain is a full package,” Riveiro told reporters.

“The club management was involved in selecting him as the captain, as was the technical team and the players.”

“We were all on the same page in this decision and we all agreed that Innocent and Richard (Ofori) are excellent options for us,” he added.

READ | FORMER ORLANDO PIRATES ADMINISTRATOR LEAVES TANZANIAN GIANTS