Bucs won't slip again, says Papic

Despite the daunting challenges that lie in wait for them, Orlando Pirates coach Kosta Papic on Wednesday declared his team more than ready to erase the bitter memories of last season.

In his maiden season at the helm of the Buccaneers, Papic failed to guide Pirates to any silverware and he says this is a season where they intend to sweep away everything that comes their way.

Papic says he has absolute confidence that their fortunes will change for the better this season because they have assembled a powerful and ambitious squad with the capabilities to win trophies.

"What I have seen during our pre-season games and training sessions is passion and power from the players and this bodes well for us as we all know that this season is going to be extremely tough playing in Caf, domestic cup competitions and the league,” he said.

Papic added that he had spoken to all the players and warned them to guard against repeating the mistakes of last season when they lost the championship to Kaizer Chiefs in the final stages of the league campaign after an excellent start.

“Obviously what happened to us last season was not nice, but at the same time there were lessons taken from that experience.

“We did not score enough goals, but I am hopeful that this problem will be solved because we have talent in our attacking department to take care of that,” he said.

Papic said he expect all his players to be constantly on the look-out for goals as Benedict Vilakazi and Gift Leremi did last season when they scored from the midfield.

On Saturday, Papic and his men will start their revival with a clash against Limpopo-based Black Leopards at Ellis Park Stadium (6pm).

Although he confirmed his team's mental and physical readiness for their season opener, Papic said Leopards were not going to be an easy team to beat because they had reinforced their challenge with a new coach in Jean-Yves Kerjean and a couple of good players.

“It is going to be interesting because they are going to play a different kind of soccer with new systems, but we are ready for them,” he said.

Despite minor niggles and the possible unavailability of Zambian striker Davis Mwape, who has not yet been registered, Papic declared the Buccaneers ready to get their campaign off to a winning start.

It was also confirmed that defender Thabang Molefe, midfielder Thapelo Liau and striker Jimmy Kauleza have left the club.

Meanwhile, SuperSport United have signed midfielder Sipho Mngomezulu from Wits University.