Orlando Pirates veteran midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula is poised to call time on his playing career, with a potentially emotional retirement announcement expected as early as this Saturday. The 36-year-old has strongly hinted that winning his first-ever league title with the Soweto giants would be the perfect final chapter. Since joining the Buccaneers in 2023, Makhaula has already collected five trophies, but the league crown has remained elusive. With Pirates needing just one more win from their remaining fixtures to be crowned champions, the experienced midfielder has admitted that lifting the trophy would be a dream come true and may prompt him to hang up his boots.
Makhaula’s resurgence this season has been a key subplot, particularly after Sihle Ndluli’s injury thrust him into regular starting duties under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Rather than fading into the background, the veteran has embraced the competition from younger players, noting that their intensity in training has pushed him to maintain high standards. However, with his 37th birthday approaching, Makhaula has made clear that his priorities now lie with team success rather than personal longevity. "Only God knows," he said when asked about his future, adding that his constant prayer has been for the league title. "It would be a dream come true."
The midfielder’s comments carry added weight given his experience at clubs where league titles were not always the focus. For Pirates, a club that demands trophies, Makhaula has found a fitting home. Should the Buccaneers secure the necessary victory this weekend, all eyes will be on the veteran to see if he makes good on his retirement hint. Whatever decision he makes, Makhaula’s potential exit would mark the end of a distinguished journey, capped by what he himself described as the ultimate achievement in South African football.