The Buccaneers dropped points with a 2-2 draw away to Richards Bay last weekend and are currently in second place on the league standings with 55 points from 24 games, while leaders Mamelodi Sundowns are one point better off from 23 matches.
They face third-placed chasing AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs in their next two games but have a reasonable run-in to the end of their campaign, with ties against struggling sides Stellenbosch, Magesi, Orbit College, alongside a potential banana-skin with sixth-placed Durban City.
Sundowns, meanwhile, still have to face Stellies, Richards Bay, Polokwane City twice, Kaizer Chiefs and Siwelele.
Mbatha, who has played in 17 of Bucs' 23 league games this season, is not yet ready to throw in the towel.
"I believe that we are still in the race," he told Pirates TV.
"And we have to continue playing our game because we have to take it one game at a time."
“We are running our own race, and I believe that is something we must continue doing.”
AmaZulu FC winger Andiswa Sithole has insisted that Usuthu are ready to challenge Orlando Pirates when the two sides meet in a key Betway Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Magesi FC's fight for Betway Premiership survival is being undermined by a growing mental fragility, according to head coach Allan Freese.
Andiswa Sithole says it's crucial for AmaZulu's top three hopes to record all three points from their upcoming Betway Premiership clash with Orlando Pirates.
Marumo Gallants have clarified the absence of head coach Jamil Benouahi following his no-show on the bench during their recent fixture against Orbit College.
