Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi is confident of a win against newly-promoted Black Leopards at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday night.

Writing in his first column ahead of the new season, Lekgwathi admitted his side were raring to go despite missing much of their squad this week due to international duty.

The 35-year-old skipper said: 'Preparation for this game hasn't been ideal as we had a number of our key players on national team duty, which made it difficult to work on certain things. But we cannot make this an excuse because at the end of the day, we need to play on Friday night and make sure that we secure maximum points.

'Fortunately, we have had the opportunity to play against them recently and this doesn't make it completely difficult to plan for them as we know more or less what to expect from them.

'The squad is itching to get the new league season underway. It's our first match of the campaign and we really know the importance of starting on a winning note.'

Lekgwathi also paid tribute to his team-mates who were called up for Bafana against Burkina Faso: 'Before, I sign off for this week; please allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate my team-mates Siyabonga Sangweni, Andile Jali, Tlou Segolela, Oupa Manyisa and Happy Jele for their well-deserved 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Wednesday.

'Big up to Happy (Jele) for finally making his overdue debut for the senior national team. As for Ace (Oupa Manyisa), it's only a matter of time before he accomplishes his dream to play for Bafana Bafana.

'MaBhakaniya, the race or should I say marathon, starts on Friday...I urge you to come out in your numbers to welcome us into the new season in style and we will do our best that we don't disappoint you.'

Daine Klate has, however, preached caution ahead of the tie. He said: "I think any game from now until the end of the season will be difficult, and Black Leopards being new in the league makes no difference.

"It was a tight run-in last season and I think it may be even tighter this year as many teams would like to collect as many points as early as possible to avoid a late rush for points, and we are no different as we are hungry for more success."