Siwelele head coach Lehlohonolo Seema insists they will continue to work hard in a bid to turn things around against Orlando Pirates at the Free State Stadium on 23 September. Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2), live on SuperSport.
CURRENT FORM:
The newly-formed Bloemfontein outfit have found the going tough in the Betway Premiership since purchasing SuperSport United in the off-season.
Seema's tenure got off to a positive start with a 3-1 victory over Golden Arrows on 9 August, but his team have only picked up one point from their next six matches.
Siwelele halted a run of three successive defeats with a 0-0 draw against Richards Bay on 29 August, only to be beaten by Durban City (2-0) and Magesi (2-0) in their last two outings.
Seema's side are in a four-way tie with Stellenbosch (13th), Orbit College (15th) and Chippa United (16th) on four points, being kept out of the danger zone on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Abdeslam Ouaddou has steadied the ship after losing his opening two games of the new campaign, guiding Pirates to a historic fourth consecutive MTN8 title earlier this month.
The Buccaneers got their league season up and running with a 1-0 win against Stellenbosch, whom they also beat in the Wafa Wafa final, and followed it up with another two victories over Orbit College (1-0) and Chippa (3-0).
Ouaddou's side trail league leaders Sekhukhune United by 10 points in eighth place, although they do have two games in hand.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Siwelele head coach Lehlohonolo Seema:
"Look, there are teams that haven't won. This team is just four months old and like I have said to you, it's work in progress, we are not in despair.
"I mean the pressure is always there. The day I was announced as the team coach there was already pressure. So, we have to soldier on and the pressure we must live with it, it's football.
"And football matches we have to win. So, we continue to work definitely, we won't stop."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Siwelele - Christian Saile has struggled to make an impact in the City of Roses since relocating from Pretoria. The DR Congo striker has completed the full 90 minutes just once in seven appearances and is still searching for his first goal. He did come close against Durban City after latching onto Grant Margeman's pass on 34 minutes, but was denied by a fine save from Darren Keet.
Orlando Pirates - Oswin Appollis is already making an impact for the Sea Robbers following his switch from Polokwane City in July, helping them retain the MTN8 trophy with two assists in the final. The 24-year-old was also a creative force against the Chilli Boys, setting up the goals for Deon Hotto and Tshepang Moremi, who missed the target from an unmarked position at the back post after being picked out by Appollis in the 83rd minute.