Pirates coach Zinnbauer cautious on league chances

The Absa Premiership is the only trophy still on offer for Orlando Pirates this season, but coach Josef Zinnbauer has played down his team’s chances of a late run to lift the coveted crown.

He would appear justified in doing so given that runaway leaders Kaizer Chiefs are nine points ahead of second-placed Pirates with a game in hand, but given their recent form, The Buccaneers have shot up the table and into view.

Zinnbauer’s side have taken 19 points from the 21 available since he joined the club, and must still meet Chiefs in a Soweto Derby on February 29 that could either confirm their championship challenge, or end it once and for all.

"Now we have league games to play, we want to win as many as we can, but I cannot talk about our chances [of winning the league] because we have played more games than some teams behind us," Zinnbauer told reporters.

"I have said this before, we need time, and we have to learn. But I am very proud of the team, the way they are responding to my system so far."

Pirates are next in action away at Black Leopards on Sunday, with every game now a ‘must-win’ if they are to mount a title challenge.