After failing in the last hurdle in the 2013 Caf Champions League final, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly, Mhlongo says their aim is to go one better this time around.
“The aim was not just to reach the group stages, we want to surpass what we achieved in 2013 because we had a good run unfortunately we lost in the final,” the keeper says.
“So we want to do more, but obviously without putting pressure on ourselves. We will just take it one step at a time. The most important thing is to focus on taking one game at a time.”
The Buccaneers started the Confederation Cup group stages with a 1-0 victory over AC Leopards in Congo on Saturday, with Mhlongo insisting his side want to stamp their authority on the group.
“It's not only about saying we are a big team in South Africa, we just want to make our mark and put the country in a map,” he says.
“For us it was important to keep on working hard and making the nation proud.”
Pirates are expected to arrive back from Congo Brazzaville on Monday evening to start their preparations for their second match against Zamalek on the 11th of July.
And the 24-year-old said they are not bothered about the fact that they are not getting enough rest.
“If you play for a team like Pirates you must expect such,” he says. “For us, I feel like it's one of those achievements to say we are one of those teams who never rested but are still doing well.
“If you can take a close look at the past four or five seasons, we've been playing continuously. So for us is all about breaking records and it's all about making our name globally.”
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