Benni targets perfect start

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Benni McCarthy of Orlando Pirates.

Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates striker Benni McCarthy wants to start the 2012/13 Premiership campaign on a positive note, in their season opener against Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on Friday evening.

“We start our long journey which is the league campaign, and we'll try to get the ball rolling in the best way possible,” McCarthy told his club's website ahead of the appetising clash.

The two-time successive league winners have set a target of retaining their trophy at the end of the campaign.

Ironically, they needed to beat Arrows 4-2 in the final game of last season to confirm their title, with second-placed Moroka Swallows in with a sniff.

“Look, this will be a totally different ball game,” McCarthy said.

“We beat Arrows 4-2 the last time we played them. This does not mean that it will be a walk-over.

“We need to prepare very well for them, and make sure that on the night we make use of our goal scoring opportunities.”

At Cape Town Stadium, Ajax Cape Town open their campaign against SuperSport United.

United captured the exciting midfielder George Maluleka from Ajax in the off-season, and will aim to ride on their Nedbank Cup victory in May, which concluded the 2011/12 season.

On Saturday, high-flying Mamelodi Sundowns take on ambitious new comers, Chippa United, in Atteridgeville.

Sundowns will be buoyed by their 4-1 MTN8 triumph over Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, and are likely favourites over the league's rookies.

“We are confident, but let's wait and see,” said Chippa's coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

“Sundowns have the experience and we are short on that.

“But, maybe, it will be an experience that will bode well for us heading into the season.”

Chiefs, coming off their loss last weekend, have a tricky start to the season as they take on AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

In the afternoon, Black Leopards play Bloemfontein Celtic, while Free State Stars face Wits in Bethlehem.

On Sunday, University of Pretoria play Maritzburg United in Pretoria with Tuks keen on impressing in their first season in the top flight.

The Pretoria side were finalists in the 2009 Nedbank Cup, and have been the 'nearly' men in the promotion race for over five years.

In Rustenburg, Platinum Stars host Swallows, who will aim to repeat last season's fairytale run. – Sapa