Pirates legend: ‘We have shown we can defend our trophies’
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Orlando Pirates legend Innocent Maela. (Photo: Gallo Images)
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Pirates legend: ‘We have shown we can defend our trophies’
Aug 19, 2026 – 02:41 pm
By Clifton Mabasa
Orlando Pirates legend Innocent Maela has weighed in on the club’s chances of defending the MTN8 title ahead of their semi-final test against Sekhukhune United.
The Buccaneers will lock horns with Babina Noko at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, with the Sea Robbers aiming to secure a fifth successive MTN8 title.
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Maela, who won the competition four times during his time with the club, believes Sekhukhune will not derail the Soweto giants’ pursuit of another piece of silverware.
“Look, when you play for a club like ours, you want to win all the trophies you partake in. We have shown in recent years that whenever we win a trophy, we are more than able and capable to defend it,” Maela told KickOff.com.
“So I think it’s more than possible for us this season to do the same, to win the MTN8, to win all the trophies that we won last season and even more.
“But now, going into this tournament, the MTN8, we play Sekhukhune United. The first leg is away from home, so I think it’s going to be tough.
“But I think it’s possible for us to come back home in the return fixture with a positive result and give ourselves a chance to be in the final.
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“When you’re in the final, anything is possible, and we trust our team more than anyone in finals. So we do know that we stand a good chance of winning the tournament.
“The team has more than enough experience to do so. So, I do believe it’s going to be a huge success this season again.”
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