"I accepted the job to coach Swallows because I have confidence in myself and that the team we have assembled will fly high," he said.

"Our supporters have no reason to worry about us. We still have the same team that almost won the league title last season.

"We have the same hunger to win matches. We are not only going to challenge for the league but all the trophies in the Premier Soccer League.

People must not read too much into our (4-0) defeat during the Mopani Executive Mayor's Cup final in Giyani two weeks ago.

"It will be different in cup competitions and the league championship," said Marques, who started the new campaign with a 2-0 win over AmaZulu in the MTN8 quarterfinal on Sunday.

Marques, who replaced new national coach Gordon Igesund, said winning his first match was a big relief.

"It's a great start for us. We have to keep the winning momentum. That's the kind of result we needed to send a clear message that we mean business," he said.

Swallows brand manager Siya Sangweni said the club was happy that its support base was growing.

"It's a great pleasure for us as management to see more and more people coming to our matches, especially the younger generation.

"In the past, we used to have mainly senior citizens coming to our matches but now that the team is doing well, people of all ages are coming to support us," said Sangweni.

"What makes us even more happy is to see our supporters proudly wearing our replica jerseys at malls, workplaces and schools."

With experienced players such as Siyabonga Nomvethe, David Mathebula, Bongani Thwala, Mpho Maleka, MacBeth Sibaya, Lerato Chabangu and Joseph Makhanya, the Dube Birds will be one of the teams to watch this season.