MARITZBURG United are aiming for a top-eight position in the Absa Premiership this season and anything else will be a bonus.

This emerged yesterday when the Team of Choice unveiled 12 new signings and Hummel as their new technical sponsor.

The players who were unveiled were Brendon Wardle, Jonny Motala, James Madidilane, Byron Hendricks, Mor Diouf, Noah Chivuta, Musa Nyatama, Eddie Ndalo, Rudolf Bester, Felix Obada, Norman Smith and Tumelo Mahlangu. Sallie Adams was also unveiled as coach Gordon Igesund's assistant.

"This is going to be the toughest season, considering that we will have to play on weekends and during the week, which is why we need to have a strong squad for the new campaign. Our main goal for this season is a top-eight finish and we are all convinced that this is a goal we can attain. Whatever we would get above this would be a bonus for us," said Igesund.

His side avoided relegation by a whisker last season, but the new players have boosted prospects.

"This season, unlike in the previous one, I have ample time to prepare the team," Igesund told Sowetan . "Last season was very difficult for us in that we had to participate in the playoffs, but this time round I have more time to work with the players. Actually, I have six weeks with 90 percent of the squad, which is enough for us to challenge for a top-eight position."

United's season opener will be against defending Absa Premiership kings SuperSport United at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night.