Despite their massive turnaround in results since his arrival, Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer believes his side are still too far behind Kaizer Chiefs to be in the Absa Premiership title race.

Since the German’s arrival in December the Sea Robbers have picked up 16 out of a possible 18 points, which moved them rapidly up the league table to sit in fourth with 33 points.

However, the Buccaneers are still 12 points behind old foes Kaizer Chiefs, with Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United also ahead of them, while Bidvest Wits – in fifth – have a number of games on everyone in the league due to their Caf Confederations Cup commitments.

Despite their resurgence under Zinnbauer, the German coach is not getting carried away. He insists his side are still too far behind to be considered title contenders.

‘No. We’re looking at our next games and they’ll be difficult games,’ Zinnbauer told the media.

‘We have three points more and I’m happy about this‚ but we can’t at the moment say we’re fighting to win the title. We have not so many points for this. When we have a chance, I will say we’re fighting for the title.

‘That’s what we want but at the moment it’s too early to speak about the title. We’re concentrating on the next game.

‘We’re not speaking about the title at the moment. We’re building the team‚ the squad and the systems,’ he concluded.