• Innocent Maela planned to quit football after loan spells but returned to Orlando Pirates and became club captain.

• A note he wrote to himself, inspired by Habakkuk 2:2, kept him going and led to a five-trophy career and Bafana call-up.

Innocent Maela was ready to give up on football – until he wrote a small note that changed his life.

Born in Witbank, Maela grew up obsessed with the game. His brother remembers him juggling a ball all the way to the shops. He started at local clubs Celtic FC and Tsetse Fly before being spotted by Thabo Senong and joining Orlando Pirates’ development side in 2010.

He began as a striker and winger before moving to left back – the same position his brother Tsepo Masilela played for Bafana Bafana. His father, Eric Masilela, was a Witbank Aces legend. But it was his praying mother and her church that carried him through the tough times.

After loan spells at Witbank Spurs and Thanda Royal Zulu, Maela thought about quitting when Thanda almost got relegated.

“I told my mum I’d go back to school if Pirates didn’t call me back,” he said. She urged him to try once more, FarPost reported.

He had already left the University of Johannesburg to follow his football dream. On a small note, he wrote that he would return to Pirates and fight for the left back spot – inspired by a Bible verse, Habakkuk 2:2.

In 2017, after captaining Thanda to the NFD title, his phone rang. Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza wanted him back.

That same year, he earned his first Bafana call-up and made his Pirates debut with an assist in a 1-0 win over Chippa United.

He later scored a memorable Soweto Derby goal and lifted five trophies before retiring in 2025 as Pirates captain.

Pictured above: Innocent Maela.

Image source: @orlandopirates