Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela welcomes competition in the star-studded squad and is ready to fight for his place in coach Jose Riveiro’s starting line-up.
Recently, Maela dropped down the pecking order as one of the coach’s most trusted soldiers in the starting 11.
Instead, the Spanish tactician has been opting to use Paseka Mako and Deon Hotto in the left-back position.
Ahead of their must-win encounter against the Comoran outfit at the Orlando Stadium on Friday night, Maela trusts and respects Bucs technical team’s decisions.
He maintains that he will wait for his chance while supporting the rest of the team.
“To be honest, we are a squad of quality players,” Maela said at a media briefing at the Rand Stadium on Thursday.
“The most important thing for us is to support each other whether you are starting matches or watch from the bench,” he said.
“We have a long season ahead and the most important thing is to trust and respect the decision that has been made.
“Whether there is pressure for me to start or be replaced in the team, no one is guaranteed a starting place.
“You must work hard to earn your stripes, but at the end of the day, you need to trust the process and the decisions and support the team. The team comes first.”
Pirates host Djabal FC in their CAF Champions League preliminary rounds second leg on Friday evening. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
The Sea Robbers are expected to get the better of Djabal and make it into the group stages despite Riveiro insisting that it will not be an easy game for the home side.
Maela is expected to start as Bucs go into the encounter with a slender one-goal lead thanks to a Zakhele Lepasa late winner in the first leg.
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