Bidvest Wits midfielder Thabang Monare has admitted that he was surprised to start the match against Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday, but he had to quickly get his head right to make sure he impresses on debut for the Clever Boys.

Monare, signed from relegated Jomo Cosmos, played alongside fellow new signing Xola Mlambo and they both destroyed Amakhosi in central midfield as Wits deservedly won the match 2-1 at Bidvest Stadium.

Monare now has to keep fighting to keep out the likes of Phumlani Ntshangase, Ben Motshwari and Jabulani Shongwe.

"Yeah I was surprised [to start]. The team had players that got the team to second position last season. They almost won the league, so to come in from Cosmos and start is surprising. But when you get the chance, you must get on to the pitch and work hard for the team," said Monare.

"It was great [to play with Mlambo]. The coach was encouraging us to keep the ball and telling us how to react off the ball, so it was not that difficult."

Monare believes he'll stress less after moving from a team that was fighting relegation to one expected to challenge for the title, or even win it.

"I'd love to win the league. But it's still early and it's important to take it one step at a time. When you train with the guys at Wits you can see that they are winners. When you join them you have to adapt, otherwise you are at the wrong place."

Hunt, meanwhile, warned that there's a lot more to come from his new signings after giving debuts to Monare, Mlambo, Eleazar Rodgers, Gabadinho Mhango and Cuthbert Malajila.

"There's one thing Jomo Sono [Cosmos boss] can do - he can sign players. I've always taken your Anthony Laffors and Morgan Goulds from Cosmos. Monare is a good player."

Wits will be hoping to com- plete a double over teams from Soweto when they host Orlando Pirates in an MTN8 quarterfinal on Saturday (8.15pm).