Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela recently shared insights into his injury challenges and the disappointment of missing out on AFCON selection.

Orlando Pirates' seasoned captain, Innocent Maela, recently shared insights into his injury challenges and the disappointment of missing out on Bafana Bafana selection as the Africa Cup of Nations approaches in January.
The 31-year-old, a staple left-back choice for Bafana coach Hugo Broos, faced a frustrating start to the DStv Premiership season. With just seven appearances across competitions for The Buccaneers, only three of them saw him in the starting line-up.
Despite being a preferred pick for the national team, Maela found himself sidelined, with Aubrey Modiba assuming the left-back role and Golden Arrows' Bradly Cross earning a call-up. In a candid update provided during the Adidas store activation at Maponya Mall, Maela expressed his determination to overcome this setback.
"It's disappointing to go through what I've been going through, but it's an opportunity for me to come back stronger and make sure that when I do come back, I perform to the level I know," Maela told journalists.
"Yes, I have missed out on a few matches and the inclusion in the national team also, considering that the Africa Cup of Nations is around the corner. But look, I am confident, I'm busy doing rehab at the moment, and I'm confident that I will be back and I will be stronger."
Acknowledging the challenges, Maela highlighted the importance of a strong support structure. Drawing on past experiences, including a previous operation, he emphasized the role of family, friends, and teammates in maintaining mental health during such testing times.
"It's not easy, I have to say, it's not easy. But with me personally, I've been blessed to have a good structure. My family has been there, my friends, and also my teammates have been supporting me. So, I'm confident that I will come back even stronger."
As Pirates prepare to resume league action against Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday at 15h30, Maela's resilience serves as an inspiration for fans and teammates alike. The seasoned defender looks ahead with determination, eyeing not just a return to the pitch but a return at the top of his game.

Orlando Pirates' Innocent Maela battling back from injury setback

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Vodacom Soccer | News | Orlando Pirates' Innocent Maela battling back from injury setback

Fagrie Lakay was immensely proud to kickstart Pyramids FC's CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a winning goal against DR Congo giants TP Mazembe.

The former Santos, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/teams/supersport-united">SuperSport United</a> and <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/teams/cape-town-city">Cape Town City</a> winger combined superbly with Fiston Mayele at the famous 30 June Stadium on Friday to open his account for the season. The Egyptian Premier League side are competing in the Champions League for the first time and cruised through their qualifier with a 6-1 aggregate win over Rwandan side Armee Patriotique Rwandaise Football Club.Facing the five-time continental champions was an entirely different prospect altogether, but Lakay and his teammates emerged with a well-deserved 1-0 win in Cairo.Lakay joined Pyramids from the Citizens on a three-year deal in the 2022 transfer window and made an immediate impact with a brace of goals in the CAF Confederation Cup.The South African added six goals in the league in the second half of that season, and managed a further 10 last term to help his new side to a second-placed finish.Now off the mark in Africa's elite competition, the 26-year-old Bafana international is eager to see how far his side can go, in a group that also contains <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/teams/mamelodi-sundowns">Premier Soccer League powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns</a> and Mauritanian team FC Nouadhibou.Reflecting on his goal, Lakay - who still holds the record as the youngest ever South African international at aged 17 years, six months and one day - exclusively told <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a>: "It feels good to start our campaign on a positive note with three points."It is the first time in the history of the club to play in the Champions League so it's a good start."Lakay will be making a return to South Africa when his side face Sundowns in their third group game on December 10 - and he acknowledges that they must be at their best if they are to compete with the top clubs in Africa."It won't be an easy one because you have teams like TP Mazembe and Sundowns in our group and also the team Nouadhibou from Mauritania; it's their first time playing Champions League so it won't be easy," he explained."We want to do well and will definitely give it our all. We would like to go far in the competition and make it a success."But for now we take it one step at a time."YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/south-africa-withdraw-bid-for-2027-fifa-womens-world-cup-1">South Africa withdraw bid for 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup</a>Despite making his Bafana debut at such a young age, Lakay had to wait until November 2021 to earn his second cap, against Zimbabwe, and has seven caps in total for the senior side.While he grew massively as a player with SuperSport and during a subsequent loan move to the now defunct Bidvest Wits, it was with Cape Town City where he rediscovered the devastating explosiveness and captivating form that had catapulted him into the spotlight at such a young age.He last featured for Bafana Bafana during international friendly matches against Angola and Mozambique in November 2022."I'm settled now," continued Lakay. "I know my way around the busy city and have good team-mates. I am happy and enjoying my football."On the thought of returning home to play against Sundowns, the humble young attacker revealed: "I'm excited to play in South Africa again, to play against Sundowns because currently they are one of the best teams in Africa."To be the best you need to be able to compete against the best."And on a potential return to the Bafana fold for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, the player concluded: "I will continue to work hard and make sure I am ready whenever they call me."READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/super-sport-and-sundowns-to-vie-for-first-spot-in-tshwane-derby">SuperSport and Sundowns to vie for first spot in Tshwane Derby</a>

Fagrie Lakay exclusive: ‘Good to start CAF CL campaign on a positive note’

Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has no issues with manager Jurgen Klopp making wholesale changes for their Europa League campaign.

Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has no issues with manager Jurgen Klopp making wholesale changes for their Europa League campaign but has warned against complacency.
In their four European matches so far Klopp has made 11, 10, eight and nine alterations from the previous Premier League game and up until the 3-2 defeat to Toulouse earlier this month it had no effect.
Defeat in the south of France extended the process of guaranteeing top spot, and thereby avoiding an extra play-off game in the knockout stage, but that could be secured on Thursday with a win at home to LASK if second-placed Toulouse do not beat Union Saint-Gilloise.
Klopp is likely to make significant changes again at Anfield, especially after injuries to goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota in Saturday's draw at Manchester City, but three-time European Cup winner Thompson does not believe that should make any difference until the competition reaches its later stages.
"Toulouse was extremely difficult and the players didn't perform well, there are no two ways about it, but that happens," he told the PA news agency at the launch of the Ultimate LFC Experience in which fans can experience, among other things, training at the club's Melwood complex.
"No one was moaning about that team in the other games when we made a lot of changes so I have no problems with that. It was the lads on the day.
"Because we had more or less got the group wrapped up I don't think we were up for it as much as we should have been and that was the disappointment.
"With respect to the teams we have played in the Europa League it is not as tough as the Champions League group stage so you can mix and match.
"He has got a big squad, you need players and you need them to get minutes and a little bit of understanding and barring the Toulouse game things have gone according to plan.
"Players have got valuable time playing in the Europa League but I think as it goes on you see changes and the first team will come to the fore."
Thompson believes Liverpool's position as favourites, which has been the case before a ball was even kicked, is fully justified but knows the competition changes when teams from the Champions League drop down in the new year.
"You can see why they made Liverpool favourites, with their great tradition in the Champions League and European Cup, but you have to wait to see the teams who will drop out of the Champions League," he added.
"In 2001 when we were in the UEFA Cup (and he was assistant to Gerard Houllier) the teams that dropped out were really top-class teams and it was really tough.
"We beat Olympiacos and Barcelona (both teams came from the Champions League) and Porto (who were Champions League qualifying losers).
"The league is your bread and butter but the European competitions are just fantastic so you have to enjoy it, embrace it and if big teams come all the better."

Phil Thompson backs Jurgen Klopp's rotation strategy in Europa League

Mike Phelan has warned Manchester United not to get distracted by Galatasaray's fierce atmosphere or any pre-match hostility.

Mike Phelan has warned Manchester United not to get distracted by Galatasaray's fierce atmosphere or any pre-match hostility 30 years on from his ‘Welcome to Hell' experience.
Three losses in four Group A matches means defeat in Istanbul on Wednesday night will end the Red Devils' hopes of making the Champions League knockout phase with a game to spare.
Galatasaray won last month's reverse fixture 3-2 at Old Trafford and are sure to make life tough for Erik ten Hag's visitors at what is set to be a rocking Rams Park.
The encounter brings back memories of United's famous visit to the Turkish giants' hostile old ground in November 1993, when Phelan started a wild second round second-leg clash.
"We arrived and they allowed everybody into the airport," the former midfielder said. "There was a fair few there.
"I think they blocked it off with some glass, Perspex, something like that.
"There was a lot of police there, but they were just all shouting, jeering and holding these placards that we're going to die over there.
"An unusual welcome, put it that way. But there was a lot of intimidation really in the atmosphere at the airport. When we got to the hotel, exactly the same."
Gary Pallister was part of the travelling party and remembers the ‘Welcome to Hell' placards, as well as the intimidation extending to their plush hotel.
"I was walking past this bellboy, he's pushing one of the trolley things that you hang your suit on and carries suitcases," Pallister said.
"As I'm walking past him, I just went ‘afternoon' or whatever and he just went like that (makes a slit throat gesture) and I just carried on walking.
"I was like ‘wow, this is a bit different'. But I mean that's what we faced most of the trip I would suggest."
The air of intimidation continued throughout a trip that ended in United's Champions League exit, with a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford followed by a 0-0 at the rickety Ali Sami Yen Stadium.
Eric Cantona was sent off towards the conclusion of a game that ended with the forward and Bryan Robson furious at having been attacked as they left the field.
United have made two less chaotic Champions League visits to Galatasaray since then and Phelan says cool heads are required in what is a huge game for both teams.
"Just play the game," Phelan said. "The best place to be is on the pitch.
"Off the pitch is where frustrations are but on the pitch you are in control.
"On the pitch it is up to what you do, not necessarily what Galatasaray do. It's what you do.
"What is your game plan? Can you execute your game plan? Have you got the confidence to go there to get the result that you need?
"Can your big players turn up? Because you need your big players. In big games and occasions, you need your big players.
"I think you've got to control the game because you can't control the atmosphere.
"You might be able to, in a little way, if your retention of the ball is good and you're not making mistakes, then you control the game, control the ball, and that can silence the crowd – don't encourage the crowd."
Victory on Wednesday would be United's most important Champions League away win since their stunning 3-1 last 16 second-leg triumph at Paris St Germain in 2019.
Phelan was assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back then and says they just need to keep the mentality that "it's a game of football".
"Galatasaray are in a fantastic position, being at home and knowing they can go through with a win, so their team talk will be slightly different to United's," he said.
"But United know the task ahead – they have to win two games. But you can only play one at a time, so win the first one, then take up the challenge of playing Bayern."

Mike Phelan warns Man Utd about Galatasaray's 'Welcome to Hell' atmosphere

RB Leipzig are hoping to restore some pride as they return to the scene of last season's thrashing by Manchester City, coach Marco Rose has said.

RB Leipzig are hoping to restore some pride as they return to the scene of last season's thrashing by Manchester City, coach Marco Rose has said.
The German side were crushed 7-0 by the eventual Champions League winners when they visited the Etihad Stadium in the last-16 stage of the competition in March.
The two sides meet again at the same venue for a group match on Tuesday, with both having already secured their places in the knockout stages.
Rose said at a press conference: "Last year with the 7-0 thrashing, it put us down, it knocked us down. We haven't spoken about it but it was not a good feeling after the game.
"But we became cup champions in Germany after the game and we qualified for the Champions League, so it didn't destroy us as a team.
"Tomorrow we want to do better for sure. We want to compete with one of the best teams in the world. We want to show that we can make it better, that we are better.
"It's difficult. We will have to suffer tomorrow. I didn't see a team here that had much possession. Even Liverpool I think had just 40 per cent ball possession.
"So we know what we'll get but we are here to try again."
Erling Haaland scored five goals for City in that last meeting and Rose knows all about the threat the Norwegian poses having managed him at his former club Borussia Dortmund.
He said: "I hope the relationship is as good as it always was but obviously he has to do his job tomorrow. We have to try and suppress him if we can.
"We'll enjoy watching him play but hopefully we'll be able to stifle him."
Leipzig go into what is their penultimate game in Group G trailing City by three points. Top spot is still to be finalised but the Germans need to win to have any hope of overhauling the English outfit.