Orlando Pirates senior players leading by example in the dressing room - Makhehleni Makhaula

Speaking to the media after last night’s Nedbank Cup last 32 draw, where they were pitted against Richards Bay FC, Makhaula says players who make mistakes on the pitch need to be supported.

At the end of their recent 1-0 loss against Cape Town City, Patrick Maswanganyi was seen crying uncontrollably after the game, having missed a penalty earlier and according to Makhaula Bucs' senior players were there for him.

"For me, it's all about the senior and the guys who've been in this thing for long like Tito, Mbatha's [Thalente], we need to support those guys, Radiopane's [Boitumelo]. Whenever they make mistakes, it's not the end of the world because if you see someone who's matured like maybe Tito crying, you have to go to him and try to comfort him because when Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] is crying then Tito has to go to Rele,” Makhaula said.

“So, us, the senior guys we have to make sure that these small boys and Mbatha, Tito and Monyane [Thabiso] they always feel our presence to tell them that we are here for you guys, even if you make a mistake, we're gonna move on from there."

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Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has consistently praised Makhaula’s role in the Pirates dressing room, especially during the CAF Champions League.

When they started the group stages, the former AmaZulu player was the only regular in the team with experience in this tournament stage. Imparting knowledge and leading by example is something he enjoys.

"I think for me the role that I have it's always speaking with the young boys, encouraging them whenever they make mistakes, they mustn't look down. We saw what happened with Tito, I was the first one to send him a message to say 'Boy these things happen, even the superstars, Ronaldo's, Messi's, they do miss penalties. So, it's not the end of the world, you just have to focus on the next one.' Makhaula added.

“Even the coach is always saying that guys, whether we lose or win we just have to forget, if we win eight or nine, forget about the eighth, there's the next one that is coming. So, I think that's keeping us really going."