Orlando Pirates begin the defence of their Absa Premiership title tonight with the likelihood that new star signing Benni McCarthy will make his bow in the black-and-white shirt.

The former Bafana goal ace is a symbol of Pirates' big ambitions this season, where the priority is club chairman Irvin Khoza's desire to win the African Champions League.

While the focus will be on the first appearance of McCarthy in a Pirates team, the pressure will be on another Bucs newcomer, coach Julio Leal, whose first task is to beat Premier League rookies Black Leopards at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.

"We are playing two matches in the space of five days [they meet Platinum Stars on Tuesday]. It is vital that we get off to a good start," said Leal on the club's website.

Leal is expected to bring McCarthy into action off the bench tonight and if the striker lives up to expectations, Pirates could be on their way to achieving the chairman's high ambitions.

Ajax Cape Town, who were runners-up to Pirates last season, are now without kingpin Thulani Serero, but their thumping of Supersport United in the MTN8 last week sets them up as a big challenge to Bucs yet again.