Maela gives young squad thumbs up

“Getting to the final would be an achievement”

The Cosafa Cup is a perfect platform for young players trying to advance their careers, and Orlando Pirates left-back Innocent Maela knows that very well.

Last year, Maela was a barely known Bucs development product who had spent three years on loan at Thanda Royal Zulu in the National First Division.

He captained Thanda and was called up by Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for the 2017 Cosafa Cup.

That tournament was a disappointment for a combination stitched together under the usual pressure of clubs not releasing players.

Bafana lost their first game against Tanzania but went on to win the Plate section of the tournament by beating Botswana and Namibia.

Maela, 25, believes the Cosafa Cup experience from last year helped ease him into the Pirates first team.

“It helped a lot. It’s different playing in the PSL and in international football,” he said yesterday, as Bafana prepared in Polokwane for their Cosafa quarterfinal opener on Sunday against Group A winners.

“International football is more physical. It gives you lessons that you can take back with you.

“The last Cosafa Cup exposed me to things that I wanted to do and it increased the desire. For up-and-coming players, the tournament is very useful.”

With Baxter having had a week to work with his exciting young squad, expectations of results, and even winning the tournament, have been raised.

Given that holders Zimbabwe have brought their strongest combination to the tournament, including Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona, that seems an attainable, though far from easy, ask.

“I really do think that we have a good team. When you look at the players here, they’re players excelling at their clubs,” Maela said.

“I think we really do have a good chance. This squad is definitely better, with respect, than last year’s one.

“Getting to the final would be a good achievement. But we’re aiming high and we want to go all the way.”