Orlando Pirates will be aiming for a good start in their opening game of the season against Highlands Park.

The Buccaneers will get to host the Lions of the North at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening in their opening game of the season. 

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During the 2016/17 season before the Lions of the North were relegated to the NFD, both games between them and Bucs ended in draws.

The two teams drew 2-2 in the first round league game in December 2016, with the second round game in April 2017 ending in a 0-0 draw.

Bucs’ captain Happy Jele says Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s team will be aiming for a winning start to the new season.     

“For us, it’s very important, it’s going to show how ready we are in terms of the new season and it’s going to motivate each and every one to believe that this season we have to perform. And obviously it’s for the supporters, we want them to come more to the stadium. If they come more to the stadium we will perform very well,” Jele said to the media this week.

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Bucs will be without Abel Mabaso due to suspension from the red card he picked last season while still with Chippa United, while there have been doubts over fitness levels of Thabo Qalinge and Thembinkosi Lorch after they picked up injuries during pre-season matches.   

“For now we just have to focus on playing each and every game and try to perform and maintain the standard that we were in last season… perform very well so that we make sure also the supporters are coming to the stadium, make our chairman proud with each and every game and we will see what will happen afterwards,” concluded Jele.