Orlando Pirates give no thought to Premiership title tilt

Orlando Pirates are unbeaten under new head coach Josef Zinnbauer, but the German trainer says a PSL title push is not on their minds.

Zinnbauer took charge of a team that had drifted aimlessly under interim boss Rhulani Mokwena but has quickly turned things around.

Orlando Pirates sail up the table

Orlando Pirates are unbeaten in eight matches and are now up to fourth putting them in contention for continental football and perhaps even a tilt at the title.

The Sea Robbers are the Premiership’s form team having won their last four league encounters on the bounce. The three teams above them have all tasted defeat recently which has sparked belief among Buccaneers fans and even goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands. Still, Zinnbauer is focused on the process of converting Pirates to his philosophy and is taking things one game at a time.

“No… We look only to the next game, which is the toughest game. We have three more points, which I’m happy about, but we cannot fight for the title at the moment,” said Zinnbauer.

“We have not too many points for this. When we have a chance, I’ll never say never to fighting for the title [because] that’s what we want.

“But, at the moment, it’s too early to speak about the title or anything. We concentrate only on the next game.”

Don’t get ahead of yourselves

Orlando Pirates might be forgiven for looking ahead to their date with Kaizer Chiefs at the end of February but between now and then they face Chippa United and Black Leopards either side of a tough Nedbank Cup fixture against Bidvest Wits.

Zinnbauer remains focused on improving a team that despite the upturn in results still has a long way to go before they can claim to be playing to their potential. The German seems to have a longterm vision for the team and is eager to challenge for top honours in the 2020/21 season.

“You saw in the first half, it was not as good as we wanted, so we need time for the team [to get where we want them to be],” he continued.

“We have new players in the team and they need time too, so we cannot speak at the moment about the title.

“We create the team [chemistry] and make the systems better. The penetration in games is not yet what I want, so we have a lot – maybe four or five one-on-ones with the goalkeeper, and we don’t score a goal.

“So, that is what we want and that is all I speak about in the next days, weeks and months. I think it’s coming, and we’ll see what happens next season.”