Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says they are determined to compete with rampant Mamelodi Sundowns for the Betway Premiership title after narrowing the points gap with a 2-1 win over The Brazilians on Sunday.

Following a series of underwhelming results in recent league outings, which saw them succumb to a 2-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants and a goalless stalemate with Chippa United, The Buccaneers staged an impressive performance with Relebohile Mofokeng at the heart of it with a brace.

Riveiro’s men are now 15 points behind Miguel Cardoso’s charges, having amassed 43 points in 19 matches. On the other hand, the log leaders have picked up 58 points but played four games more than the Soweto Giants.

The Spanish tactician expressed his delight at claiming maximum points over the Chloorkop-based outfit that rarely drops points. Riveiro highlighted the importance of ensuring the three points remain in Soweto, signaling their intentions to topple Masandawana.

“Every point is important in a league where it seems like there’s one team that’s probably going to finish with close to 80 points at the end of the season. So, we want to compete with them,” said the Bucs mentor.

“When you look at the schedule you can’t say if we get a point here it’s fine or even playing against them if we get a point it’s going to be alright – it’s not. You have to always fight for the maximum points.” 

While the games in hand provide Pirates with an opportunity to close the gap further, the 49-year-old Spaniard, who is in the final months of his three-year contract, reiterated his stance on having both teams on the same number of games played as the battle for the championship heats up.

“Again, it’s a pity that we didn’t arrive at this game [level on matches played]. We are going to the space of the ifs, but we still have four games to play than them, [but] it would be nice if those games were played already coming into this one,” Riveiro added.

“Even if we are six or seven points behind them [after playing our games in hand] and not only three points behind, it would give the game a different dimension I’m sure and it’s going to give a clear picture about our reality.”

Despite the season proving to be a rollercoaster, Riveiro outlined notable improvements and strides the team has made in the ongoing campaign, making a bullish claim that the title race is not over just yet.

“The reality is that we have a lot of points and it’s not frequent at this stage of the season with the amount of games. If you only look at the gap, then maybe you’ll think the way people are thinking that this is over and we’re not doing well,” he continued.

The Sea Robbers will be back in league action with a visit to Polokwane where they will face Polokwane City on 6 April, five days after their crucial CAF Champions League quarterfinals encounter against Algerian champions MC Alger in the North.