NEW Moroka Swallows coach Zeca Marques has urged supporters to believe in him and the players this season.

"I accepted the job to coach Swallows because I have confidence in myself and that the team we have assembled will fly high," he said.

"Our supporters have no reason to worry about us. We still have the same team that almost won the league title last season.

"We have the same hunger to win matches. We are not only going to challenge for the league, but all the trophies in the Premier Soccer League," said Marques.

"People must not read too much into our (4-0) defeat during the Mopani Executive Mayor Cup final in Giyani two weeks ago - we were contributing to charity.

Marques replaced new national coach Gordon Igesund and started the campaign with a 2-0 win over AmaZulu in the MTN8 at the weekend.

He said winning his first match was a big relief.

"It's a great start for us; we have to keep the winning momentum. That's the kind of result we needed to send a clear message that we mean business."

Swallows brand manager Siya Sangweni said the club was happy that its support base was growing.

"It's a great pleasure for us as management to see more and more people coming to our matches, especially the younger generation.

"In the past, we used to have mainly senior citizens coming to our matches, but now people of all ages are coming to support us.

"What makes us even more happy is to see our supporters proudly wear our replica jerseys at the malls, workplaces and schools," said Sangweni.

With experienced players such as Siyabonga Sangweni, David Mathebula, Bongani Thwala, Mpho Maleka, MacBeth Sibaya and Joseph Makhanya, the Dube Birds will again be one of the clubs to watch this season.