Mpumalanga Black Aces will be looking to revive their Absa Premiership title hopes when they host Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. Kick-off is at 3:30pm.
AmaZayoni fought back to hold Ajax Cape Town to a 2-2 stalemate away in their previous league encounter last week Wednesday.
Thanduyise Khuboni pulled one back for Aces, before Bhongolethu Jayiya grabbed a late equaliser at the Athlone Stadium.
The Mpumalanga side have won only one match in their last five league games. The 1-0 win over Chippa United on the 30th of January 2016 was also their last home victory.
Furthermore, Aces have drawn three of their last three league games. They need to return to winning ways on Sunday in order to keep up with the league contenders at the top.
Aces are placed third on the Absa Premiership standings having accumulated 36 points from 19 matches.
In-form AmaZayoni captain and striker Collins Mbesuma revealed the reason behind his good goalscoring form, before stating that they expect Pirates to give them a tough time on Sunday.
"The formation that Aces play really suites my style of play but all the credit must go to the entire team," said Mbesuma.
"As for my ex-team Pirates, they will be tough especially since they lost to Free State Stars and they will surely be targeting a Top 8 finish this season," he added.
Meanwhile, Pirates will be hoping to snap their losing streak in the league when they lock horns with Aces on Sunday afternoon.
The Buccaneers are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Free State Stars away in their previous league game on Wednesday night.
This was Pirates' second consecutive league defeat as they had suffered a 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at home in their previous game.
Prior to the two matches, the Soweto giants were enjoying a two match winning streak which began after drawing with Kaizer Chiefs last month.
Pirates are placed 11th on the Absa Premiership standings having accumulated 23 points from 19 matches.
Bucs head coach Eric Tinkler is concerned by his charges' mentality which led to them suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to strugglers Stars in midweek.
"None of them [PSL games] are easy. The type of football they [Stars] were playing [prior to facing us] was not the type that they produced," Tinkler said ahead of the Aces clash.
"But that's what you get at Pirates. You've got to inform the players about that and the players need to understand it," he added.
"That 99% of these opposition players would love to be in their position. And you've got to be more motivated than them, and work harder than them."
When Aces and Pirates clashed in the first-round encounter, the two sides played to a 1-1 stalemate at the Orlando Stadium in September, 2015.
Mpho Makola gave the Buccaneers the lead in the 21st minute, but Mbesuma restored parity on the stroke of half-time.
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