Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela: We must play the game, not the occasion

Captain Innocent Maela is the most experienced player in the current Orlando Pirates squad, and that’s why he knows what it’ll take to win the Soweto derby.

Pirates will visit their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a Premiership clash at a sold-out FNB Stadium this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Both teams are on a low after losing their last league matches at home to Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United respectively.

The loss to Gallants put Chiefs’ top-eight aspirations in serious jeopardy, while Pirates’ title challenge is on ice after losing to Sekhukhune. Hence, they both need to win at FNB.

The odds tip the Sea Robbers to sail to another victory over their bitter rivals, having won the reverse leg at the Calabash in February.

But Maela, who’s been at Pirates since 2017, has been around long enough to share the secret recipe they’ll need to apply to serve the perfect dish to their fans.

“When we play the Soweto derby, form doesn’t count. We know that as players, given the experience that we’ve gained over the years,” Maela said.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t win our last game. But that’s now water under the bridge. It’s for us to improve now tactically and technically.

“We need to go out there, and respect the match, make sure that we perform to the best of our abilities.”

Today’s derby will serve as the dress rehearsal for the teams’ follow-up match in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium next Saturday.

Both teams want to win that encounter, as Pirates are eyeing their third Ke Yona Cup in a row, while Chiefs want to end their 10-year barren run.

Maela, though, believes that both games are equally important, and that’s why they can’t afford to prioritise one over another.

“I think if we remain focused on the match itself (on Saturday), then it shouldn’t be a big problem,” Maela explained.

“We need to focus on the game, and not the occasion. So, every time we play, the team that adapts first increases their chances of winning the game.

“It’s not like we are going to play the first Soweto thinking about the next one. We want to focus on the game at hand, and do well.

“We need to stay together as a team, focus on the brotherhood and then after 90 minutes, we need to focus on the next one, which is the final.”

The clash at FNB could also make or break Pirates’ title challenge as a win would trim the gap at the top to nine points before Mamelodi Sundowns face Cape Town City tonight (8pm start).

So, thanks to the universal belief within the squad that the title race is not yet over, Maela knows that they can’t afford to slip up going forward.

“I don’t believe the league is gone or the guys also think that. I think we all believe that we have a chance, as long as we never give up,” Maela said.

“But yeah, it was a setback not to collect three points against Sekhukhune. But it is what it is now.

“It’s just for us to make sure that we improve and come back stronger as a team.”

Sure, Maela wants his team to bounce back to winning ways, but with his experience, he knows that they can control the performance against Chiefs, but not the result.

That’s why he’s urged The Ghost to recognise that they’ve already had a stellar season, which includes finishing in the CAF Champions League semi-final, when things don’t go accordingly against Pyramids FC.

“I think we’ve had a really successful season. Our season has been brilliant – it was a record-breaking season,” Maela said.

“But you must also understand that when we don’t win, there’s a frustration that happens throughout our fans.

“But we encourage them to be proud of our season.

“We are in the running for winning the league, and a cup. The season is far from over.

“We are also frustrated when we don’t win. So, we can imagine their frustration.”