The Zambia international scored a sensational 35 goals to help Kaizer Chiefs win the league title in the 2004/05 PSL season before moving to England to join Portsmouth, where he failed to live up to expectations.

Mbesuma later returned to South Africa, where he has since played for Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and Golden Arrows, but he has so far failed to rekindle his old form.

"I'm 100% fit and I can play any day when the team needs me, but I hope people realize that the past is the past. I scored those 35 goals long ago but people are still talking about it," Mbesuma lamented to Football411.

"I'm just hoping that people don't expect me to do the same at Pirates, because things have changed since the days I was a Chiefs player.

"I know my job is to score goals as a striker and that's what I aim to do at Pirates, but sometimes people expect too much."

However, the 28-year-old admitted he was delighted when he heard of Pirates' interest a few months ago.

"I think it was mentioned sometime last season, but it was just a rumour at that stage, but I must say I was very happy to hear that. Pirates is a big club and I couldn't wait to join the team," he added.

Mbesuma will start training with his new team-mates on Friday and he may be in line to make his debut on Sunday when Pirates clash against SuperSport United in the MTN8 semi-finals.