Orlando Pirates must stay humble – Innocent Maela

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Apr 15, 2019. 13:00

Orlando Pirates defender Innocent Maela insists his team must remain humble and continue working hard after establishing a six-point lead at the top of the Absa Premiership.

The Buccaneers racked up a third successive win this past weekend when goals from Musa Nyatama and Justin Shonga secured a 2-1 home victory over Free State Stars.

The Soweto giants have a six-point cushion to nearest chasers Mamelodi Sundowns, but the Tshwane side do have three games in hand (due to their continuing participation in the CAF Champions League).

With just three games to go for Pirates, Maela wants the team to keep their heads down and end the league season as strongly as possible.

“It was a tough match for us considering that we have been playing games non-stop. We knew that they had all the time to prepare for us,” Maela told SuperSport TV cameras after the match against Stars.

“You could see they were fresher and moved faster than us but I’m happy we managed to get the three points,” he continued.

“The experience that we got from last season helped us. It’s not just about playing good football all the time. Sometimes it’s about to soldier up, get the three points and keep it moving.

“It’s very important that we stay grounded, humble ourselves. The coaches always tells us that and keep working hard.

“We’re almost there but we also know that [Mamelodi] Sundowns have games in hand. Now we’re focusing on ourselves and we keep going.”