“I don’t believe the league is gone and I don’t think the guys also believe that,” Maela told reporters.
Despite his team trailing Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points, Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has refused to throw in the towel in the race for the Betway Premiership title.
The Buccaneers quest for a league title suffered a massive blow when they lost 1-0 Sekhukhune United at home at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.
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The loss came on the same day when the Brazilians registered a convincing 3-0 victory against Richards Bay to stretch their lead to 12 points, though Pirates still have two matches in hand.
Pirates will next face rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday. A defeat in this encounter will all but end their chances of dethroning Sundowns.
A defiant Maela, however, insists that as long as they still have a chance to win the league title, they will not give up on the title race.
“I don’t believe the league is gone and I don’t think the guys also believe that,” Maela told reporters at The Venue at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg.
“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,” he added.
Maela opens up on Pirates future
Meanwhile, Maela has spoken about his future at Pirates.
This comes after reports emerged that the Bucs skipper will hang up his boots at the end of the season and take up a role within the club.
“I think in life, just like anything else, you have to allow succession to happen because we all know you can’t play the game forever. So if you have an opportunity and God has placed you in a position where you can influence the next generation, you have to take it with both hands,” said Maela.
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“The club will issue a statement when the time is right, and I will issue a statement, and we will proceed from there.”
