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Palacios: Bucs' players hungry to win the league

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates development coach Augusto Palacios believes the club are showing the pedigree and character to win the Absa Premiership in 2018/19.

Pirates currently top the standings on 47 points, three ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns who have the benefit of two matches in hand.

With that said, Palacios takes the view that if Bucs win their final four matches in the league that it will be enough to take the trophy.

The Peruvian won the title as coach in 2011/12 and he thinks that indications are clear the Sea Robbers can do it again.

He told Kickoff: "I think the last couple of games, I believe scoring will be more important.

"In 2011/12 when we won against SuperSport [United] in the last minute with Lucky Lekgwathi, now the same story is coming now, last minute again in the game against Bidvest [Wits], it was an own-goal but the goal made us win one nil [laughs].

"It's a very strange the history of football you see. Very coincidence, with the same coach [Gavin Hunt], in the same situation in the league and I think we were remaining with about four games or something. The game against Bidvest was very crucial.

"I know it's very difficult because Sundowns still have to play, but the good of Pirates is winning the remaining games, it's very good. I'm really happy.

"I think the technical team have enough experience, the commitment, discipline. The way I see it this is the working together. The players are hungry to win the league, it's very important, you can see the player when he is scoring goals the celebration there is spirit, one player coming in one player coming out... it's very good for the players.

"I'm very happy because it's been a long time since I think we can take the league. We can say they are not already there, but it's very close, very close. Okay for me I think what is very important is the three points.

"I believe the commitment of the players or the team to win the three points is very, very important. To win the last two games was very important. You can see from the start that Pirates want to win, they don't say 'no, we are coming for a draw'... it's not like this.

"The way I think, I think Pirates can take it. They are scoring goals, they are winning points... it's very important, very important. I always say the team that wants to win the league, they cannot [keep] dropping points. Winning points, it is very important."

The club have a chance to extend their advantage when they take on struggling Free State Stars on Saturday. Kickoff is at 20:15 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

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