Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula has revealed that a conversation with the club chairman persuaded him to continue playing after the team won the league title last season.
The 36-year-old had previously said he would retire from football if Pirates secured the championship. The Buccaneers went on to win the league, but Makhaula remained at the club after extending his contract for another year.
Makhaula said the chairman encouraged him to reconsider his plans and believed he still had enough ability to contribute.
“First of all, I would like to thank all of you, ladies and gentlemen. Yeah, it was like that, but all thanks to my chairman who said, ‘No, you still got the legs. Can you go one more? Maybe we’ll see’. I said, ‘Okay, chairman,’” Makhaula told iDiski Times.
Makhaula joined Orlando Pirates in his mid-30s and has enjoyed a successful spell with the Soweto club, winning seven trophies during his time at Mayfair.
He is now preparing for another major occasion as Pirates face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban this weekend.
Although Makhaula has not featured regularly this season, he remains part of the squad as Pirates attempt to retain the trophy. The midfielder believes the club’s new signings have helped strengthen the team ahead of the final.
“It’s really exciting to go to another final with a different group,” he said.
Makhaula was encouraged by the team’s performances and said he was confident Pirates could complete their campaign with another trophy.
“I’m sensing a win; I think the guys showed up, they were great. I would just say I’m sensing the win. I’m sensing us defending the trophy,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether Makhaula will make an appearance for Orlando Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
