Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal has big plans for Benni McCarthy and believes there is still much more to come from the well-traveled striker.

The former Blackburn and West Ham man joined the Buccaneers at the beginning of the season and has been instrumental in helping them secure a place in the Telkom Knockout final.

"Benni is a player of a superior level and he is capable to bring to my team extra quality. It is his strength to hold up the ball, to bring players into the game and his goal scoring ability," Leal told SuperSport.

McCarthy had spent several seasons away from the African continent before joining Pirates, but Leal is expecting big things from the former Bafana Bafana international.

"It has been a long time since he has been in South African football and I think the level has improved a lot here. So there is a big pressure on him, but he's a fighter, he's a champion," the Brazilian tactician added.

"He has fought his way back and now he has to carry on working at improving his fitness and his speed and agility.

"We are counting on him to not only help us in the Telkom Knockout final next month but he'll also be important in the Champions League next year.

"He is capable of helping us to come from behind and win the title."