Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has spoken for the first time on the disappointment of missing out on Bafana Bafana’s final 23-man squad that is currently competing in the AFCON.
Maela has spent a major part of Bafana’s qualification campaign for the Africa Cup of Nations of Nations, playing the full 90 minutes of Bafana’s wins against Liberia and Morocco.
However recent injuries have limited Maela’s time on the pitch at both Pirates and Bafana, with his last international appearances, coming in a 1-0 victory against DR Congo at the start of December 2023.
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The 29-year-old was named in the initial 50-man preliminary squad headed to Afcon, having recovered from a knee injury at the time of the squad announcement. However, he lacked match rhythm and ultimately was left out of the final 23-man squad.
Speaking to media at the Nedbank Cup official launch on Thursday, Maela opened on not being part of the continental competitions and shared a message of support to Bafana.
"Obviously, I would have loved to be there," Maela told journalists.
"To represent the country in a major tournament like AFCON, unfortunately it didn’t happen. God’s grace, it is what it is.
"Coming back to the first match we (Bafana) played, I think we played really well, very strong. I think the we had opportunity to win the match but unfortunately didn’t go our way. Two matches left now to win the match.
"To make sure that we progress. I’d like the gents to know that the country is behind them, the nation is behind them, we support them. We believe come to the next match, we will get the job done.
"I’ve been part of the national team for a while now and playing a major tournament is always nice, especially if you have done the hard work, qualifying with the team.
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"But look, I always believe in God, His plan and as soon as I found out I would not be making the team I just said, 'It’s your will my Lord and everything you have planned for me, shall it happen’.
"Obviously, if you remember before Christmas break I was already fit, I was making the matchday squad but I didn’t have match fitness and that’s how I missed out on AFCON.
Bafana take on Namibia in their second group stage match of the continental competition on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 22:00.
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