Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has revealed he wants to play Champions League football with the club, but admits that it is not easy to qualify for the continent’s premier competition.

The Sea Robbers currently sit fourth on the Absa Premiership log and are eight points behind log-leaders and rivals Kaizer Chiefs. Zinnbauer’s side, though, are just one point off Mamelodi Sundowns, who are in second spot – the last Caf Champions League qualification spot – but the Brazilians have played three games less than the Soweto giants.

Speaking after his side’s draw with Golden Arrows, Zinnbauer admitted that he fancies playing continental football but knows qualification is not straightforward at this stage of the season.

‘The focus is really on next season. The target is to have a good squad for next season. This season, if you give me a place in the top three, I will take it. I can also fancy playing in the Champions League … it’s good, but it’s not easy,’ said the German coach.

‘For us it’s important to create more competition in the team, to have an improved squad next season,’ he concluded.

The Soweto giants made their return to the competition, which they won in the 1996 season under Milutin Sredojevic, but could not progress from the group stages.