Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer believes it is “not possible” for his side to lift the DStv Premiership trophy this season despite emerging as the most likely challengers to leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over 10-man Bloemfontein Celtic on Tuesday to move to within four points of Sundowns, though they have played three games more.
“We have not enough points we can talk about the top of the log. It’s not possible, “Zinnbauer said. “We look from game to game. We have also the cup in the bag. We have to see what happens in the future. When we come closer, we can talk about title.”
Pirates laboured to victory, despite playing more than half the game with a numerical advantage.
“Not the best performance from us,” Zinnbauer admitted. “But recently we had a lot of games and here we didn’t play so well but we have three points.
“We can discuss against 10. But sometimes it’s more work against 10 players. Not a good performance from us but we are happy with three points. It was important for us.
“Now the players can rest. You can see they are very tired.”
Zinnbauer has also provided an update on star attacker Thembinkosi Lorch after he missed a second successive game.
Lorch has missed Pirates’ last two matches – both having ended in victory – after he picked up an injury early on in their DStv Premiership draw with SuperSport United last month.
The 27-year-old former PSL Footballer of the Season was withdrawn from the match after just 28 minutes and has since missed the Nedbank Cup last 16 win over Maritzburg United at the weekend and the league win over Bloemfontein Celtic last night.
Zinnbauer has since provided a positive update on the playmaker, who he believes could be back in the line-up for this weekend’s trip to face Chippa United.
“Lorch is on a good way, he has been working very well in the training sessions. We have to see now in the next two days what’s happening with him,” the German said in his virtual press conference after the match.
“I hope we get him back on Saturday, I have a good feeling in terms of him.”
Zinnbauer also explained the absence of midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu, who was omitted from the match day squad on Wednesday evening.
Pirates are next in action away at Chippa United on Saturday.