Pirates aim to bounce back to winning ways

Orlando Pirates will look to return to winning ways this weekend as they host AmaZulu at Isak Steyl Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Last weekend The Buccaneers saw their six-match winning streak come to an end as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs.

That defeat severely dented their chances of challenging for the DDC title, however, mathematically they are still in with a shot.

Heading to the weekend, Pirates are fourth on the log with 43 points,  eight points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs who have accumulated 51 points this season.

Makhanya said picking the boys up after losing to their arch rivals last weekend would not be a difficult thing to do.

He stated: "It's an easy one to pick up the boys because they left their energies on the field (against Chiefs). We appreciate that effort as coaches."

"They (Chiefs) broke our six-match winning streak so the boys will have to bounce back as we continue taking it one game at a time."

On their chances of possibly winning the league by May, Makhanya said: "If you are to check close there are still games left, but this loss (against Chiefs) was a a blow as we were supposed to win or steal a point so that we stay within touching distance. But we will pick ourselves up and fight to see how it goes at the end of the season."

Pirates have never won the Diski Challenge, but have come close in the last two seasons.

As for Amakhosi, it looks like the stars are finally aligning for them as they are in the pole position to win the title.