As Orlando Pirates are slowly losing the DStv Premiership title race to Mamelodi Sundowns, midfielder Miguel Timm says they must fight to return to African football.

Timm admitted they are struggling to find consistency in the league and he believes their job is to focus on qualifying for CAF club football.

The former TS Galaxy star was speaking after their 3-1 win over Golden Arrows in the league last weekend as they ended their three-game winless run.

He said he is not going to hide the fact that they are not currently enjoying a good run in the league but preferred to focus on themselves rather than on log leaders, Sundowns.

After 16 league matches, the Buccaneers are trailing unstoppable Masandawana by 21 points but the Tshwane giants have played one more game than the Buccaneers.

Bucs lost three league games in a row before registering a convincing 3-1 victory over the Durban-based Abafana Bes’thende at Orlando Stadium last weekend.

Under manager Jose Riveiro, the industrious midfielder conceded that the Soweto giants have not been performing at their best, but pleaded for patience with the team being built by the Spaniard.

“I know we are not doing well in the league and it’s not a secret, so I’m not going to hide it,” Timm said per TimesLIVE.

“I’ve said we are going to fight until the very end. It’s fine Sundowns are on top, but we must focus on ourselves.”

While challenging Sundowns for the league title is what ‘the Ghost’ would cherish, Timm believes qualifying for the CAF Champions League or Confederations Cup would be a good return for the team from the 2022-23 season.

“We need to get back into Caf football first and foremost because that’s where we belong and, in the long term, (we must) challenge for the league,” added Timm.

“Sundowns didn’t win these things overnight, it took a long period of time and patience. We know where we are short and we know the work we need to put in.

“We just need to have faith in what we are doing and continue doing the best that we can. Not only for us but for all the hundreds of thousands of people who are backing us to take the team back to the top.”

In their next match at home, Pirates will welcome Stellenbosch FC at Orlando Stadium Sunday as they chase another three points.

Main Image: Miguel Timm/BusinessLIVE