Orlando Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa is eager to avenge the side’s poor showing in the MTN8 last season with a win over Bidvest Wits.

The Buccaneers will have their opening Premiership game of the season against Golden Arrows to negotiate midweek before they take to the field against the Clever Boys the following Saturday in the top eight cup.

Manyisa, who was injured for long spells last season, is treating the match as a ‘formality’ as Pirates seek to bounce back from a disappointing season by commemorating their 80th birthday in style.

‘Playing Bidvest Wits is like a formality for us because we have played Bidvest Wits for the past two seasons in the MTN8, so this is like a formality,’ Manyisa told the Pirates website.

‘But what is key for us it to just go out there and do our job because this is our 80th anniversary season, therefore, we want to create history by winning trophies this season.’

The midfielder has denied his side are feeling any extra pressure this season after their failure to secure silverware last campaign. Instead, the player insists his side are simply focused on repaying the fans for their support by producing

Pirates’ opening league match against Arrows will be played at Orlando stadium on August 24.

Kick-off is at 19:30.