I am positive that Chiefs can do it

Let me wish Innocent Maela everything of the best for his future endeavours following his official retirement from football.

- KHUNE'S CORNER

On attending Maela's retirement dinner

I was in attendance last week at an elegant event hosted by the captain and his wife. Let me tell you something, it was a celebration worthy of a true football legend. What a career Maela has had, and it was an honour playing against and alongside him throughout the years. I salute him for taking charge of his future, and I know his future off the field will be as bright as the one on the field.

When you look at Innocent's journey, you see everything that's beautiful about South African football. Here's a player who came through the ranks, worked his way up, and never forgot where he came from. From his early days to becoming a stalwart at Orlando Pirates, Innocent embodied what it means to be a professional footballer in this country. I've had the privilege of sharing the pitch with him on numerous occasions, both as teammates in the national team setup and as opponents in the PSL. What always struck me about him was his consistency, not just in performance, but in character.

Whether Pirates were winning or struggling, whether the pressure was mounting or things were going smoothly, Innocent remained the same professional, dedicated player. The decision to retire on his own terms speaks volumes about the man's character. In a football landscape where many players cling on hoping for one more contract, one more season, Innocent chose to walk away while he still had something left to give. That takes courage and wisdom. That's exactly the kind of leadership he showed throughout his career. What made Innocent special wasn't just his defensive abilities or his leadership on the pitch, it was his understanding of what it meant to represent something bigger than himself.

Maela at Bafana and Pirates