Makhaula extends Orlando Pirates career after Khoza intervention

Makhehleni Makhaula says he still has the fitness and desire to contribute for Orlando Pirates after chairman Irvin Khoza persuaded him to delay his retirement.

The midfielder had planned to end his playing career if he helped his boyhood club win the league title. That target was achieved last season, when Pirates claimed three trophies, including the Betway Premiership.

However, Makhaula has continued into the current campaign and will aim to show coach Abdeslam Ouaddou that he remains an important part of his plans. He turns 37 in the middle of next month.

“I still have the legs,” Makhaula said ahead of Pirates’ MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night at 6pm.

“So, thank you to the chairman for giving me another opportunity and saying: ‘No, we still need you, man.’ I am grateful for that opportunity. The legs are still there and I can still run.”

Makhaula joined Pirates in January 2023 and has won every domestic trophy available to him during his time at the club. Despite that success, he says he still wants to add further honours, with the CAF Champions League among the prizes that have so far eluded Pirates.

“I think I have achieved everything that I wanted to achieve,” Makhaula said. “(But) there are still things that I want to achieve. So, hopefully, we are able to get them.”

Among his ambitions, potentially during his final season with the club, is helping Pirates secure an unprecedented fifth consecutive MTN8 title.

That challenge will come against a Mamelodi Sundowns side described as experienced and well settled, while Pirates will field a younger team with several new faces. Makhaula, though, believes his side can rise to the occasion.

He has called on his team-mates to demonstrate the mentality and competitive strength required to match any opponent in a major final.

“It would be good for those players that haven’t won the MTN8,” he said. “It’s for us to also set the tone to the other teams that we are able to defend our trophies, including the Betway Premiership.

“So, we need to fight hard in order for them to realise that it’s not just a team, but a team that’s solid and willing to fight for everything.”