Cape Town – Augustine Mulenga is confident Orlando Pirates will build from last season's second place Absa Premiership finish to challenge for honours in the new campaign.
The Soweto giants have seen a lot of improvement since the appointment of Milutin Sredojevic, who is preparing for his second season in charge of Pirates.
The Buccaneers have had a busy preseason overhauling their squad and brought in nine new signings. The club has also parted ways with several players that were deemed surplus to requirements.
Pirates also recently returned from a pre-season camp in Zambia, where they played several friendly matches against the likes of TP Mazembe.
The Sea Robbers will get their new Absa Premiership campaign with a home fixture against Highlands Park.
"Last season we ended second on the log. We were close in winning the league," Mulenga told KickOff.
"This season we have to start where we left off last season and go on. I think we can be champions.
"Ja, football sometimes speaks in two languages.
"Sometimes you can have good players but if you are not playing according to their potential there is nothing you can achieve.
"I can say we have a good strike force. We just have to encourage each other, support each other and work hard."
