Playing centreback has made him a better defender‚ Pirates' Maela says
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix/Gallo Images
Playing as a centreback in many games for Orlando Pirates last season helped Innocent Maela grow and improve as a defender‚ the Bafana Bafana left-back has said.
Centreback is sometimes a position that the more mature defender will graduate to as they approach the age of 30‚ having started out as a young‚ energetic fullback.
Maela played a number of games as a left centreback in a back three last season‚ normally with Paseka Mako outside him as a left wingback‚ as Bucs ended third in the DStv Premiership and won the MTN8.
Pirates’ deficiency in fit central defenders even saw Maela at times employed there in a back four.
Known as an energetic left-back or left wingback who has the ability to tear up and down the flank‚ pressing the high line on attack but getting back to defend when Bucs lose possession‚ Maela said playing the more conservative central role has improved his defensive skills.
“I mean with the quality coaching that we get here at the club it has made it smoother for me‚” the 28-year-old product of Mpumalanga club Witbank Spurs said.
“In that role I don’t run up and down as I used to but what the team needs from me is what the team is going to get. So‚ ja‚ sometimes I play left centreback‚ sometimes I play left-back.
“It’s meant a lot for me because in football the game evolves every day. As players if you don’t evolve and grow‚ you don’t change and take your game to the next level‚ you get left behind.
“So for me personally as a player it’s helped me grow. I’ve got to become a better defender‚ I’ve gotten stronger in my [one-and-one] duels.
“I think for the coaches to see that potential in me‚ and for me to accept and be humble enough to learn and to listen to them‚ so far so good and I’m growing.
“Playing as a left centreback at the age that I am shows that I’ve got a long way ahead of me‚ which is good.”
Pirates lost 4-3 to Kaizer Chiefs on penalties after a 0-0 full-time scoreline in the preseason Carling Black Label Cup at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
The Buccaneers kick off their season officially in their MTN8 quarterfinal against last season’s rookie fifth-placed league finishers Swallows FC at Orlando on Saturday‚ August 14.
