Orlando Pirates firmly in title race despite Sekhukhune United setback – Maela

Photo Credit - Orlando Pirates Football Club.

Despite lying12 points behind rivals and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has refused to throw in the towel as far as the race for the Betway Premiership title is concerned so far this season.

The Buccaneers suffered a devastating blow in their quest to wrestle the title from the Brazilians following a shock 1-0 defeat against Sekhukhune United in a fixture played at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

The defeat came on the same day Sundowns registered a convincing 3-0 victory against Richards Bay to stretch their lead to 12 points, though Pirates have two matches in hand.

Pirates will get the opportunity to close the gap when they travel to face Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday. A defiant Maela insists they have not given up on the title race.

“I don’t believe the league is gone and I don’t think the guys also believe that,” said Maela as quoted by Sowetan. “As long as there is a chance, we will never give up. It was a setback for us to lose the three points last night against Sekhukhune United but it is for us to ensure that we improve going into the next match and come back strong. It is far from over.”

Giving his overall assessment on Pirates so far this season, Maela said: “If you look at our season, I think it has been good. It has been brilliant but we understand the frustration of our fans over recent results which did not go our way against Pyramids and Sekhukhune United.

“We encourage them [supporters] to be proud of the season we have had because we are still in the running to win the league and we are in the Nedbank Cup final. We are frustrated when we don’t win football matches and you can imagine how they [the supporters] must be feeling but I say it again that the season is far from over. We still have a lot to play for.”

While Sundowns have registered 19 wins, drawn one and lost three, Pirates have secured 15 wins, drawn one and suffered five defeats.