Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates striker Benni McCarthy believes he can come back stronger when the Premier Soccer League resumes on 15 February.

McCarthy hopes the lengthy break - in respect for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations - allows his body time to recover from niggling complaints.

"I welcome the break because I have been troubled by injuries. It will allow me to spend quality time with the medical team without worrying about games," McCarthy told the Sowetan.

"I hope to come back fully fit and help Pirates win the remaining titles. What I love about Pirates is that we are all contributing to the success of the club. If Benni is not scoring, there are other players like (Thulasizwe) Mbuyane, (Tokelo) Rantie and (Oupa) Manyisa who can score.

"It is not about an individual but team work," said the ex-West Ham forward, who will work as an analyst for some of the AFCON matches for SuperSport.

"I'm hoping for an exciting AFCON. It is unfortunate our own Bafana Bafana did not qualify for the tournament (scheduled for Equatorial Guinea and Gabon)."

The 34-year-old, an off-season arrival, added that Pirates are determined to win the African Champions League next year. The Soweto-based side, continental champions in 1995, have already lifted two cups this season - the Telkom Knockout and the MTN8.

"When I agreed to join Pirates, the chairman (Irvin Khoza) told me about his desire to see the club winning the Champions League," said McCarthy.

"I told him I want to be part of that historic team. I have won the Champions League in Europe and now I'm gunning for the African Champions League," concluded Bucs' top scorer with six goals in all competitions.