Maela: We Know What We Have To do

Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela denies disappointment in the squad following their goalless draw against CS-Disciples FC in the CAF Champions League first leg preliminary round last week.
The Soweto giants played a lackluster match in Mauritania on Sunday.
Despite their poor start to the Inter-club competition, Maela dismissed any disappointment and emphasized the team’s unwavering focus on finishing the job at home.
“Not at all,” Maela denied. “Obviously when you play you want to win and when you don’t win you feel disappointed but I don’t think the mood is the way you describe it.
“I think the team is in a good space. Obviously, we wanted to win the match, that’s why we play for a club like ours. So, I don’t think the general mood is disappointed. The mood is okay, we are in a good space,” added the captain.
Maela also acknowledged the challenges of playing against a less familiar team, highlighting the difficulty of studying their opponent. However, he assured fans that they are now better prepared and understand the task ahead.
“We played the first match away from home, against a team we didn’t know very well, but now we have information that we need to prepare for the second leg here at home,” he explained.
“I think we do have the advantage now coming back home. I think we are preparing well; we are focused, we know what we need to do come tomorrow evening and I’m sure we will be okay,” assured the captain.
Notwithstanding their disappointing opener in the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League, Pirates remain determined to redeem themselves and earn the trust of their unwavering fans. Friday’s match against Disciples FC will provide the platform for them to do so.