Orlando Pirates news: Sifiso Luthuli promises goals as first-team promotion beckons

"Last season was a good season for both me and the team," the striker said before revealing his goalscoring objectives.

"I managed 14 goals in 20 matches, however, I believe I could have scored more in the remaining matches that could have seen us close the gap on top and eventually become overall winners."

With Zakhele Lepasa and Tshegofatso Mabasa some of the many success stories of the competition formerly known as the MDC, Luthuli has taken inspiration from their rise towards stardom with the Buccaneers.

10. Oupa Manyisa made his Pirates debut aged 20 years and 1 month against Golden Arrows on 30 August 2008

9. Happy Jele made his Pirates debut aged 19 years 8 months and 19 days against Maritzburg United on 20 September 2006

8. Tlou Segolela made his debut aged 19 years 5 months and 16 days against Moroka Swallows on 15 August 2007

7. Excellent Walaza made his debut aged 19 years 5 months and 12 days against Maritzburg United on 20 September 2006

6. Siphumelele Mbulu made his debut aged 19 years 4 months and 11 days against Free State Stars on 14 May 2018

5. Andile Jali made his debut aged 19 years 3 months and 30 days against Ajax Cape Town on 09 August 2009

4. Thabiso Monyane made his debut aged 19 years 3 months and 4 days against Bloem Celtic on 3 August 2019

3. Senzo Meyiwa made his debut aged 19 years 1 month and 15 days against AmaZulu on 8 November 2006

2. Lyle Foster made his debut aged 17 years and 12 days against Maritzburg United on 15 September 2017

1. Augustine Mahlonoko made his Pirates debut aged 16 years 11 months and 18 days against Highlands Park on 4 August 2018

"It's amazing to see two of my role models in 'Zakes' and Mabasa do so well in the senior team, they are scoring important goals for the club," he enthused.

"I used to play against 'Zakes' when I was still in U17s. It strikes me how he turns the defenders around with so much composure, especially inside the box.

"Mabasa as well, I used to watch him score for the Bloemfontein Celtic MDC team that saw him become the league's leading scorer in the 2016/17 season – now he is scoring here at Orlando Pirates.

"Both of them give me hope on what is possible in the future but for now my immediate goal is to contribute in a positive way for my team in the Diski Challenge, starting with our big game against SuperSport United over the weekend."