Former Orlando Pirates captain Benson Mhlongo backs Jose Riveiro's side to push leaders Mamelodi Sundowns until the end in the DStv Premiership league title race.
The Buccaneers are currently second on the DStv Premiership log table, trailing leaders Sundowns by 13 points.
The Tshwane giants also have two games in hand.
But Mhlongo believes head coach Riveiro has what it takes to end the league title drought given more time with the Soweto giants. Since taking over at Pirates in the 2022/23 Season, the Spaniard has been able to bring in three trophies.
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"Pirates need to extend Jose Riveiro's contract with another three years on top of the one season remaining," Mhlongo tells KickOff.
"His team has grown, and the boys are playing the football that is liked by supporters, which is quick and effective football, and (they are) also solid at the back. They just need to tighten up at the back and make use of their chances. Bringing a new coach will make them start all over again.
"To combine the team that won the treble took us some time. But what I like is that the boys are growing under Jose. Sundowns is starting to drop points. Pirates, they cannot say the league is gone. They have to fight until the last day.
"Just like in life, in football you cannot give up. You have to finish the race. If you finish the race, you might end up winning the trophy. They are number two on the table, so they have to go for it. They can still win it. Pirates just need to win their games.
"Remember what happened to Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns in one of the league title races. If Sundowns gave up and decided to give game-time to their fringe players, they wouldn't have overtaken Kaizer Chiefs at the last minute like they did.
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"Pirates still need to win the championship for their fans, but to achieve that they will need to keep the culture of winning and leave the rest to God."
A league title triumh by the Soweto giants this season would be considered the greatest comeback in SA football in the PSL era considering the points gap that exists between them and the log leaders, but Mhlongo, who also featured for Downs, reckons nothing is ever impossible in the game of football.
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