ORLANDO Pirates' first-choice goalkeeper, Moeneeb Josephs, is campaigning to have Augusto Palacios appointed head coach on a full-time basis.

Palacios was appointed caretaker coach after the departure of Julio Leal in March following a string of poor results.

"Of course I want to see him (Palacios) continue as coach in the new season," said Josephs.

"Coach Augusto is a wonderful man to work with, he makes you look forward to attending the next training session. It's been a while since I really enjoyed myself at training. He is also a funny guy, he makes us laugh but he is strict.

"We are more comfortable working with him. The other advantage is that he has a wealth of experience as a coach."

Palacios said club chairman Irvin Khoza would need to deal with the appointment once the season was over. "Right now my focus is to help Pirates win the league," he said. "There is a possibility that we could even clinch it this Saturday."

If Moroka Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns lose on Saturday, the title will remain with Bucs.

"We are well on track to equal the record set by the club last season of winning the treble," Palacios said. He also said he was happy with the squad he had been given.

"It's the best in South Africa.

"There is no other club that can challenge us, from goalkeeper department to the reserves.

"It's an honour for me to coach big-name players like Oupa Manyisa, Moeneeb Josephs, Benni McCarthy, the list goes on and on."

Palacios is chasing his first league title since coming to South Africa from Peru 23 years ago.