Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele insists that the Buccaneers are not in the running for the Absa Premiership title this season.

The Buccaneers will have the opportunity to close the gap on arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs when they square off in the latest edition of the Soweto derby to take place at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Josef Zinnbauer’s side are currently third in the league standings with 39 points from 21 games, six points behind log-leaders Amakhosi, who have a game in hand over the Sea Robbers.

The 33-year-old captain insists Pirates are not title contenders as they are solely focused on finishing in a good league position at season’s end.

‘We are not in the title race, two months ago we were 19 points behind, now we are in the title race?’ Jele said at the Soweto derby media conference.

‘It is not happening, some of the guys [other teams] have games in hand, and can pick up points.’

‘For us, it is to finish in a good position at the end of the season. This weekend we just need to get the three points.

‘We have just got momentum now, for us it is important to finish in a good position. We were not happy about the way we started the season, all we need is to go step by step.’

Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs is scheduled to kick off at 3:30pm.