Cape Town - Orlando Pirates head coach Milutin Sredojevic says an increased pride in playing for the club's badge is one reason for an improved season.
The Buccaneers are guaranteed to finish in second spot on the league table, a vast improvement on last season's 11th place finish.
They will also return to the CAF Champions League for the first time since losing the 2013 final, thanks to their top two finish.
Coach 'Micho' says much of this is down to the positive response he has received from the players since he joined the club for his second spell ahead of the current season.
"We are in a process, we are happy that we have (rebuilt) the team, instilled the confidence, made them mentally strong, to make them theoretically much more aware what the jersey means, how football looks, competitive aspects of being part of Orlando Pirates," he told the media, as quoted by Soccer Laduma website.
"We have looked to keep them, throughout the season, physically fit and technically and tactically effective. They are so many positives to pick from the season behind us.
"We have significantly outmatched last year's result, 19 points more than last year when you look at that, it will be a much tougher season in front of us," he added.
Bucs end their domestic campaign with a match against Free State Stars at the Orlando Stadium this Saturday.