TP MAZEMBE'S success on the continent and elsewhere has added impetus to Orlando Pirates' Absa Premiership title ambitions this season.
The Buccaneers are more determined than ever to win the prized African Champions League title and add a second gold star to their famous black, white and red jersey.
This is according to Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi whose side will need to win the domestic championship to qualify for the African Champions League. Pirates have one gold star on their jersey after winning the continental spectacular in 1995, becoming the only southern African team to achieve that feat.
Mazembe, the African giants, were so successful this year that they retained the African Champions League and went on to make history when they became the first African club to reach the final of the Fifa Club World Cup.
The Democratic Republic of Congo side, whose chairperson is 38-year-old governor Moïse Katumbi Chapwe, lost the final 3-0 to the Samuel Eto'o-led Inter Milan of Italy in Dubai.
"You will recall that TP Mazembe used to participate in the Vodacom Challenge here in South Africa a few years ago and they have since grown to become the best team in Africa," noted Lekgwathi yesterday.
"They went to Dubai for the Fifa Club World Cup where they continued to make Africa proud. We sat, as players, and said we have to challenge for the league here at home. We expect the second round campaign of the league to be stiffer as clubs want to avoid relegation while others want to finish within the top-eight and others are aiming for the league.
"We want to apologise to our supporters for not giving them the best Christmas present after losing two matches against Kaizer Chiefs and the draw against Platinum Stars.
"The year 2011 will be a different one. People are going to see a more hungrier Pirates in the new year. We have been working hard to sharpen the attack and tighten up the defence. We are left with two titles, the Nedbank Cup and league.
"The chairperson, Irvin Khoza, has made it clear his dream is to see us doing well locally, continentally and globally.
"Our message to our supporters is that the glory days are back at Pirates and we make them happy in 2011," said Lekgwathi, whose side will return to training on Monday after the festive break.
Pirates have exciting players like Tlou Segolela, Mark Mayambela, Patrick Malokase, Lucas Thwala and Daine Klate who are capable of steering the Buccaneers' ship to championship glory for the first time in 10 years.
Mazembe's success serves as inspiration for Pirates
TP MAZEMBE'S success on the continent and elsewhere has added impetus to Orlando Pirates' Absa Premiership title ambitions this season.
The Buccaneers are more determined than ever to win the prized African Champions League title and add a second gold star to their famous black, white and red jersey.
This is according to Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi whose side will need to win the domestic championship to qualify for the African Champions League. Pirates have one gold star on their jersey after winning the continental spectacular in 1995, becoming the only southern African team to achieve that feat.
Mazembe, the African giants, were so successful this year that they retained the African Champions League and went on to make history when they became the first African club to reach the final of the Fifa Club World Cup.
The Democratic Republic of Congo side, whose chairperson is 38-year-old governor Moïse Katumbi Chapwe, lost the final 3-0 to the Samuel Eto'o-led Inter Milan of Italy in Dubai.
"You will recall that TP Mazembe used to participate in the Vodacom Challenge here in South Africa a few years ago and they have since grown to become the best team in Africa," noted Lekgwathi yesterday.
"They went to Dubai for the Fifa Club World Cup where they continued to make Africa proud. We sat, as players, and said we have to challenge for the league here at home. We expect the second round campaign of the league to be stiffer as clubs want to avoid relegation while others want to finish within the top-eight and others are aiming for the league.
"We want to apologise to our supporters for not giving them the best Christmas present after losing two matches against Kaizer Chiefs and the draw against Platinum Stars.
"The year 2011 will be a different one. People are going to see a more hungrier Pirates in the new year. We have been working hard to sharpen the attack and tighten up the defence. We are left with two titles, the Nedbank Cup and league.
"The chairperson, Irvin Khoza, has made it clear his dream is to see us doing well locally, continentally and globally.
"Our message to our supporters is that the glory days are back at Pirates and we make them happy in 2011," said Lekgwathi, whose side will return to training on Monday after the festive break.
Pirates have exciting players like Tlou Segolela, Mark Mayambela, Patrick Malokase, Lucas Thwala and Daine Klate who are capable of steering the Buccaneers' ship to championship glory for the first time in 10 years.
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