Who should replace Innocent Maela as Orlando Pirates captain between, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki and Sipho Chaine? Buccaneers legend Benedict Vilakazi makes his call

Innocent Maela will no longer be an Orlando Pirates player after he waved goodbye to fans when the Buccaneers hosted Magesi FC in their last Premier Soccer League match last week.

That leaves the new Buccaneers coach with the task of appointing a new captain who will take over the armband from Maela.

Former Buccaneers attacker Benedict Vilakazi picks the man he believes should be the next Pirates skipper.

"Though it puzzles me why Pirates keep releasing their captains, but I believe Nkosinathi Sibisi would be a perfect replacement for Maela," Vilakazi told KickOff.

"But it was just a matter of time for Maela because they were no longer using him. But Nkosinathi Sibisi has grown, he has improved a lot. 

"Look at how he has managed to guide the likes of Thabiso Sesane and all these other players who found him there at the club. Look at how Mbekezeli Mbokazi is doing under Sibisi's guidance. That shows Sibisi's qualities as a leader," added the Buccaneers' all-time top goal-scorer.

"Being a great leader or a captain of a club as big as Orlando Pirates it's something you must have within you. You can be in professional football for years but still lack leadership qualities. 

"If Sibisi is unavailable, Sipho Chaine must take over the armband since he has also shown growth. Such players are every club's dream."

Sibisi is likely to land the Buccaneers' armband after he captained Pirates in most of their games in their just-ended season.

This came as Maela struggled for game time and the long-term injury to first vice-captain Tapelo Xoki who returned to find Mbekezeli Mbokazi being preferred ahead of him.

Sibisi's case to take over from Maela is also buttressed by the fact that he also has the trust of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who has made him captain for Tuesday's international friendly match against Mozambique.

The Soweto giants will know their next skipper once the new coach has been appointed and outlines his plans.

That is also when new signings are likely to be announced as the club has already started releasing some players like Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako and Miguel Timm.