No conversations about Riveiro’s departure yet: Maela

Orlando Pirates skipper, Innocent Maela, is insisting that the players are staying focused as they prepare to take on MC Alger in their CAF Champions League quarterfinal’s second leg at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Buccaneers hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Algeria but have since been rocked by the news that their head coach, Jose Riveiro, will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

“We have had our meetings and discussions and agreed that there will be a time to put our attention (on Riveiro’s departure),” Maela told the media on Tuesday afternoon.

“Now we are focusing on the competitions we still need to compete in. The time will come later for all of those moments. Now we are putting all our attention on applying ourselves perfectly without game plans, starting tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Maela says there has also been no conversation among the Pirates players about winning the Champions League in Riveiro’s honour.

“Imagine having that conversation, discussing playing a final, going all the way and winning it, and forgetting about tomorrow!,” added Maela.

“Even at training we just go and train as best we can. We have been with the coach for some time now. The moment will come for us to express how we feel, and the journey we have been through, but the focus has to be on tomorrow’s match and paying attention to detail.” Written by Ntsako Mkhari