SEDIBENG.- Young Pirates Football Club is shaping up as serious contenders to dominate the ABC Motsepe League this season following a tough pre-season campaign.

The club has been sweating it out on the training ground to prepare for their opening match against Jomo Cosmos during the final weekend of September.

To spearhead their ambitious push for the league title, the management has appointed Isaac Mphasane as head coach.

Mphasane and his team have engaged in a series of tough friendly matches against high-profile opposition, notably facing the Kaizer Chiefs DStv Diski Challenge team.

In the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League, which is split into two streams, Young Pirates will compete in Stream B alongside rival outfits such as Orlando Pirates, Tembisa Destroyers, TUT, Dube Continental, Doornkop, and Wits University.

Despite kicking off the previous campaign in impressive form, the team ultimately finished 10th on the log. The appointment of Mphasane signals a clear shift in intent as the club looks to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Last season, the side spent significant time near the top of the table before failing to hang on to a promising third-place position.

Their downfall was due to a lack of consistency during the crucial run-in, as they dropped vital points in matches, they should have won to keep their championship hopes alive.

Club officials believe that Mphasane’s wealth of experience will help the club achieve their ambition to campaign in the Motsepe Foundation Championships at the end of the season.

The club also made some interesting signings to inject fresh talent into the squad.