Maela explains what gives Pirates the edge over Sundowns in title race

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Maela explains what gives Pirates the edge over Sundowns in title race
Orlando Pirates players celebrate Carling Knockout glory. Photo - Orlando Pirates

Former Orlando Pirates captain is backing Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team to lift this season’s PSL title because he believes they have the strongest squad the club has ever assembled.

Pirates are three points behind Mamelodi Sundowns on the PSL log with 29 points, having played 13 games to the Brazilians’ 15, and can close in and take a three-point lead if they win their two games in hand.

Even though Sundowns have won the last eight titles in a row and still have what many consider the best team in the country, Maela, who spent eight years at Pirates, feels his ex-team have a strong team that should not be worried about the PSL champions.

Maela backs Bucs to end league drought

Innocent Maela's new contract details at Pirates revealed
Innocent Maela – Picture by Orlando Pirates

“We do believe this season is definitely our season, so that when it comes, end of May, we will be celebrating the big fish that we all want,” Maela told Soccer Laduma during the renaming of Orlando Stadium to the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday.

“Just to kick off a wonderful partnership like this, a wonderful year, we’ve already won a double. So it will be important for us to go out and make sure that we do bring the league back home,” he added of Ouaddou’s team that have already won the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies this season.

Maela feels the club has recruited well this time and has no significant weaknesses, giving them the best opportunity to lift a first league title since 2012.

Is this the strongest ever Pirates team?

Orlando Pirates celebrate Carling Black Label Cup glory. Photo - Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates celebrate Carling Black Label Cup glory. Photo – Orlando Pirates

“[We can win a treble] Yes, definitely. Why? Because of the squad that we have, the depth, the quality that we have in all the departments,” Maela further stated. “I think through all the years, this squad is definitely the strongest squad. I believe we’ve been able to assemble and it has shown.”

“So definitely, if everything goes well for us, the team pushes their limits. It’s definitely possible and I have full confidence that it will happen,” added the 33-year-old.

Pirates are back in action on Saturday January 31 when they take on bottom side Magesi FC and will be keen on maximum points. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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