Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela could be affected based on the latest developments in the team, the Siya crew has been informed.
While the push continues for the Witbank-born player to get more game time under Jose Riveiro, indications are that his situation could be further complicated by the emergence of Paseka Mako following his return from injury.
Read: When Ndah Could Return At Pirates
Mako has now featured in six games in all competitions since making his long-awaited comeback in a league clash against Richards Bay FC in September.
The diminutive 30-year-old was one of the standout performers on the weekend in the CAF Champions League clash against Al Ahly in Orlando in his first start in the competition, having also done well when he came on for the last 25 minutes in the previous match against CR Belouizdad.
Meanwhile, Maela who last played in October in the League when he came on as a substitute in the last 25 minutes against SuperSport United, could be affected in his search for more game time.
"Inno is pushing as always, and nothing has changed. Like for any player and what the coach always says, everyone always stands a chance to be selected, and only a selected number (20) can be part of the (matchday) squad. But the season is still long and there will be a chance for other players in the second round," said the source.
Pirates have the best defensive record in the League with three goals conceded so far in eight games, which is one less than log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and fourth-placed Stellenbosch FC who are both on four each and on the same number of games.
Read: The PSL's Worst: Chiefs' Leaky Defence...
After the Ahly match, Mako was one of the players who got a special mention from Riveiro for his contribution to the team's defensive structure.
"I don't know how much you understand with what happened today (Saturday) in the game, but if they (Al Ahly) couldn't do more, trust me that credit to the Pirates players. The level of concentration today in the defensive phase, these people in Deano (van Rooyen), Mako, Thalente (Mbatha), (Makhehleni) Makhaula (and) our centre-backs, that was something else," said Riveiro, speaking to journalists.
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