Orlando Pirates skipper Innocent Maela insists the Buccaneers are ready to challenge perennial champions’ Mamelodi Sundowns for dominance of the South African football scene.
Five-time back-to-back DStv Premiership champions Sundowns face off with Pirates in league action at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night.
“It’s no secret that they (Sundowns) have had enormous success. They’ve done things right and their process finally is paying off for them. But we know what we have to do in order to surpass that level [that Sundowns have reached],” Maela said at a media conference at their training base, Rand Stadium, yesterday.
“I think we are heading in the right direction… we are heading in that way. We know that we are more than capable of beating anyone in this league.
“As much as we are saying we are playing against a good team, a decent team, I think they know where they are that they are also playing a very, very strong team, a confident team.
“We are a team that plays with aggression and unity, and we are enjoyable to watch. I am sure where they are, they know it’s not going to be easy, definitely not Esigodini (Orlando Stadium).
“Each and every player we have in the squad is looking forward to playing in this match. Each and every player wants to be part of such games but we also accept that only 11 players can start the match,” Maela said.
