The 32-year-old got a rare start in Pirates’ final match of the season – a 1-1 draw against Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium last night – with earlier reports having suggested he would be retiring and taking up a behind-the-scenes role at the club.

Having waved his goodbyes to the Buccaneers faithful upon being substituted out in the 67th minute, Ncikazi paid tribute to Maela in his post-match press conference.

"He's a product of this institution. I remember the first time I met him, he was playing for Thanda Royal Zulu and I was still in KZN, I saw this fast winger that I wanted to poach, but was told, 'He belongs to the big institution so you know what should happen," said Ncikazi.

"A great human being; sometimes we look at players and we forget they are members of society, it becomes very good when you have a good human being and a good player, and it's such people who continue being a leader even if you are not on the field of play.

"He's highly intelligent and I'm sure he's highly educated at home and in the institutions of learning – it's a blessing, and I'm sure his career is going to proceed.

"He's that type where it's not the end now, he's just taking another step and direction in his career, based on his humanity and his academic learning."

Having endured a bitter end to what looked to be a historic season in Jose Riveiro’s ’last dance’, losing the league title races, CAF Champions League, and Nedbank Cup, Ncikazi was still proud of the players' commitment in the last few weeks.

"I'm really proud of the players for their performance tonight, it was not an easy task. You play the [CAFCL] semi-final, and I think in two weeks we lost three competitions, and then lost a coach who has done well for the club and was very close to [the players]," he added.

"And after that period there's still games to be played, and you have to try and show some life, but it was important to look at the bigger picture that – one, there is still individual accolades for players to continue playing, player of the season and all other accolades.

"There are also still players to be selected in the national team, and there's still a badge that needs to be respected – this club is about winning, and you must understand when playing for this club, you must win even a friendly match.

"So I thought the players bought into that concept despite everything they were going through."

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