Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

While most of the clubs are on holiday, Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol has already started with preparations for the 2009-10 season.

"It is part of the coach's programme, everybody is hard at training until Friday," said Floyd "Jomo" Mbele, Bucs' administration executive.

The players will then have a break until pre-season training proper begins on July 1, in time for the Vodacom Challenge dates with Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester City.

Moeneeb Josephs, Pirates's first-choice goalkeeper, said Amabhakabhaka will be a hungrier and more well-oiled machine in the new season.

Josephs, one of the six Pirates players on duty with Bafana Bafana for the Confederations Cup, said: "We have one of the greatest coaches in Ruud. Unlike last season when he was still new, Ruud is now familiar with the environment at Orlando Pirates.

"We, as the players, are conversant with his philosophy. As you can see, the guys are hard at training. Pirates will be the team to watch next season.

"Naturally, there will be a few more players signed by the club in the new season but it will be easier for them to adapt.

"Our chairman [Irvin Khoza] made it clear last week at our awards ceremony that we must win trophies in the new season. We cannot afford to let him down and the supporters now that there is a solid foundation laid by the coach last season.

"That also goes for the African Champions League. It's one of the biggest competitions on the continent and we have to go for it too."

Bucs qualified for the Champions League after finishing second behind league champions SuperSport United