Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula on his return: The chairman Irvin Khoza and the whole team were very supportive when I was injured

Makhehleni Makhaula has paid tribute to Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza as one of his supportive pillars during his time in the side-lines through injury.

The former AmaZulu midfield hard-man sustained a long term injury which saw him miss the end of last season and the start of the current campaign.

While on the mend, the 36-year-old Makhaula revealed the impact of club supremo Irvin Khoza on him as he was on recovery phase.

“The Chairman always called me and the players, the supporters, the family, the physios, the most important thing is Jesus Christ, because I always pray. And I always ask God for each and every day that he gives me and the strength that he always gives us all,” he said.

“And I think being around people who have faced this kind of injuries it helps, because Tshego Mabasa had the same injury as me, and he was always motivating me what I should do, and what I should not do.”