Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela says they are not reading much into their previous result against Kaizer Chiefs as they prepare to collide with their arch-rivals in the Carling Cup.
The Buccaneers lost 1-0 in the first instalment of the league Soweto derby two week ago courtesy of Yusuf Maart’s stunning goal.
And as they plunge into the Carling Cup, Maela is confident his teammates have put the last Soweto derby defeat behind them.
The talented left-back admits that their meetings with Kaizer Chiefs are always intense.
BUCS POSITIVE AHEAD OF DERBY
“From the players’ side, the talk has always been the same, we are positive, we are motivated to compete and play to the best of our abilities regardless of our opponents,” Maela told the media.
“It’s always the same. We have to be positive. When we play against Kaizer Chiefs, the match is always competitive.
“You don’t go there with a relaxed mindset and never think of the outcome before we play the match.”
For head coach Jose Riveiro, winning or losing will not dampen his great plans for the Buccaneers this season.
The Spaniard said: “It’s a competition. It’s not a friendly match. We are trying to be competitive.
“I can tell you that we don’t think much. We focus on enjoying the day. If we lose, we lose, we move on because we won’t be playing the final.”
Riveiro has previously said he is a lucky coach and that he has a quality team at his disposal.
He will hope to get the better of AmaZulu, who are reinventing themselves under Romain Folz.
The Buccaneers and AmaKhosi will be joined in the tourney by South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu.
The first semifinal will be against Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu at 9:30am on Saturday.
Amakhosi and Pirates will again collide in the second semifinal at noon on the same day, in what will be the blockbuster for the day.
