Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare is confident that the Buccaneers can challenge for the DStv Premiership title during the 2023-24 season.

The Buccaneers completed the 2022-23 season as runners up after finishing in second place with 54 points, 16 points behind eventual winners Mamelodi Sundowns.

As a result, Pirates secured their place in next season’s Caf Champions League as well as winning the MTN8 title and being crowned champions of the Nedbank Cup.

After doing the domestic double, Monare is hunting for the league title and believes Pirates are strong contenders to fight for the title.

“Definitely we can challenge for the league in the new season,” Monare told Sowetan Live.

“This squad is full of winners… we have players who have big hearts and great attitudes, and that is what we also had at Wits. I really see a lot of similarities between the two squads.

“Everyone in the squad wants to win the league. It’s just a matter of patience and hard work and everything will fall into place. Every recipe to win the league is within this team.

“It was very important for the squad to have that feeling of winning and turn it into a habit. In the new season, we will be more motivated because of these two trophies.

“We want to be champions, we want to be recognised and now we have a strong foundation thanks to these two cups. The foundation should give us that momentum to give the league a full go.

“When you start winning it becomes like a drug and you get addicted, so we aim to continue winning in the new season.”

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