Pirates and Chiefs will be meeting for the first time this season in an eagerly anticipated Absa Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium, where a capacity crowd is expected this weekend.
The battle lines have been drawn, with all the pre-match formalities now out of the way following the midweek press conference, and it is now down to the two teams to complete the final touches before show-time at 15h30 on Saturday.
Maela, who will be featuring in his third competitive Derby after playing in the league ties last season, feels both teams have got a pro-attacking approach this season that can return the excitement to the fixture.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting game, hopefully an open game that will have goal, but we know what we have to do as a team to get ahead,” said Maela.
“We are focusing on ourselves and we’re preparing very well. But, when you look at both teams, we are both more attacking this time around.
“So, I think it’s going to be good for the supporters and good for us as players as well.”
With The Buccaneers boasting a four-year unbeaten run over Amakhosi, and their most recent meeting ending 3-1 in favour of Milutin Sredojevic’s side, Maela says it will certainly give them an edge for the upcoming duel.
“I think it’s a good boost but when you look at our team, it’s not really a totally different team but most of the players from the 3-1 win are not available [this weekend],” he added.
“So, I think it’s a different ball game, but for the players that did play, we know how it feels to win the Derby, and that feeling is what we want and are preparing for.”