ORLANDO Pirates' depth could swamp the opposition this season, with the club yesterday confirming the arrival of striker Collins Mbesuma.
The Zambian, a record goalscorer at Kaizer Chiefs with 35 goals in 2005, would not commit to repeating the same feat with the Buccaneers seven years on, but admitted to being excited by the prospect of partnering Benni McCarthy.
"It's probably better for me to forget the past and focus on a new challenge. But I look forward to partnering with Benni. But not just him - all the players that have contributed to the success of the club in previous seasons," said Mbesuma.
He has signed a three-year contract from Lamontville Golden Arrows and could, surprisingly, be fit enough to play in Pirates' MTN8 encounter against SuperSport United on Sunday at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Mbesuma is the second player to have signed for all three Soweto giants - Chiefs, Pirates and Moroka Swallows - and Mamelodi Sundowns. The only other player to do so was Mark Batchelor.
"I take pride in that and I can only thank God. I can't really go into detail about what I will bring to this team because it remains my secret. I needed competition again, which is why I moved to Pirates. I can only give my best and the rest is up to the coach," said Mbesuma, who won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia.
Mbesuma, 28, is adamant that being a Pirates player is not his final stop.
"I did not come here to finish my career," he said. "I have a lot of years left in me. I just want to prove my worth and take it to the next level. I know what I am capable of and hopefully Herve Renard (the Zambia coach) can recognise my impact."
With McCarthy struggling with a calf injury and Pirates still to run more tests to determine his availability for the United game, coach Augusto Palacios hinted that Mbesuma could make his debut.
"I've followed his pre-season preparation and I was impressed."
Mbesuma adds to Bucs arsenal
ORLANDO Pirates' depth could swamp the opposition this season, with the club yesterday confirming the arrival of striker Collins Mbesuma.
The Zambian, a record goalscorer at Kaizer Chiefs with 35 goals in 2005, would not commit to repeating the same feat with the Buccaneers seven years on, but admitted to being excited by the prospect of partnering Benni McCarthy.
"It's probably better for me to forget the past and focus on a new challenge. But I look forward to partnering with Benni. But not just him - all the players that have contributed to the success of the club in previous seasons," said Mbesuma.
He has signed a three-year contract from Lamontville Golden Arrows and could, surprisingly, be fit enough to play in Pirates' MTN8 encounter against SuperSport United on Sunday at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Mbesuma is the second player to have signed for all three Soweto giants - Chiefs, Pirates and Moroka Swallows - and Mamelodi Sundowns. The only other player to do so was Mark Batchelor.
"I take pride in that and I can only thank God. I can't really go into detail about what I will bring to this team because it remains my secret. I needed competition again, which is why I moved to Pirates. I can only give my best and the rest is up to the coach," said Mbesuma, who won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia.
Mbesuma, 28, is adamant that being a Pirates player is not his final stop.
"I did not come here to finish my career," he said. "I have a lot of years left in me. I just want to prove my worth and take it to the next level. I know what I am capable of and hopefully Herve Renard (the Zambia coach) can recognise my impact."
With McCarthy struggling with a calf injury and Pirates still to run more tests to determine his availability for the United game, coach Augusto Palacios hinted that Mbesuma could make his debut.
"I've followed his pre-season preparation and I was impressed."
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