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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa has lamented his side's failure to narrow the gap on league front runners Kaizer Chiefs in their derby clash on Saturday.
The Soweto giants settled for a goalless draw at FNB Stadium, with second-placed Pirates, who held a game in hand, remaining five points behind Amakhosi at the top of the Absa Premiership table.
While he was disappointed to lose out on an additional two points, De Sa believed the title holders were still in contention for a third successive league crown.
VIDEO: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates, highlights
"I think because of the position we're in, in the league, it's obviously two points lost for us," De Sa said.
"A point still keeps us very close and also doesn't allow Chiefs to get a bigger gap, but ideally, we would have liked to have caught up."
De Sa believed any slip up by Chiefs could give the Buccaneers an opportunity to catch the leaders.
"We'll keep on pushing. That's what we've got to do, worry about our games and hope that they slip up and we take advantage of that," he said.
"We're hoping that the experience Pirates had the last two seasons will keep us going and be motivated and believe.
"I think both years Pirates won it in the last couple of weeks and one of them was in the last game."
After their shock first-round elimination from the Nedbank Cup, Pirates will now shift their focus to their CAF Champions League last 32 clash against Zambian side Zanaco in Lusaka on March 16.
They will continue their Premiership campaign when they host top-flight rookies the University of Pretoria on March 30.
