Augusto Palacios, head of development at Orlando Pirates. (Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix)
Following the Soweto giants’ disappointing performance on Wednesday night Against Platinum Stars, Palacios hopes his side can bounce back and challenge for the title.
Pirates are currently in 10th place, having collected 19 points in 14 matches after drawing to Dikwena in a midweek tie.
“It was bad for us to drop two points against Platinum Stars on Wednesday, but you never lose hope because this is football. We must continue to work hard because people are saying nine points is a big gap, but anything can happen.
“We need to continue to fight for every point and for each other on the field. Our next four matches are against Sundowns‚ Bidvest Wits‚ Cape Town City and Polokwane City and we have to try and get something from all of them. It is not going to be easy but that is what we must do to improve our position on the log.
“We have to be optimistic because like all the teams‚ we have points to fight for in the second round and some of the teams above us are going to lose some of the matches. We must just make sure that we are consistent to capitalise when they drop points.”
Palacios and his chargers have their work cut out for them in their next outing at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium against Mamelodi Sundowns.