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Highlands Park relishing Pirates 'baptism of fire'

Cape Town - Highlands Park coach Owen da Gama says his side are relishing their opening Absa Premiership fixture against giants Orlando Pirates on August 4 at Orlando Stadium.

READ: Morrison leaves Pirates, but denies Chippa signing

The Lions of the North breezed to promotion from the National First Division last season, and are now looking forward to once more matching wits with the best teams in the South African top flight.

Nonetheless, despite a daunting challenge standing in their way in the form of the Sea Robbers, da Gama says his side will embrace the 'baptism of fire'.

He told Kickoff: "Orlando Pirates were a fantastic team last season, they ended second in the league, and you know at one stage with a bit of luck they would have won the league you know.

"So they are a fantastic team, and when you come into the Absa Premiership you want to play against the best. And I will tell you why, because they raise your game. They allow you to go to another level. It's the best possible start that we could have.

"No, that's when you look at it in a negative light, you must always look at things in a positive light. And say what can I gain from this? You don't go write an exam and you say, 'Yhoo! I could fail this exam'.

"No! You go, you say 'I'm writing this exam, it's a step closer for me to get my certificate'. So for me there's no baptism of fire certificate.

"It doesn't matter (playing away from home), football is football. If you start saying you want win at home then you can draw away...you will get relegated. You've got to try and compete whether you are home or away. You've gotta compete as best as you can."

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