Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena is trusting the process as he targets a return to winning ways against Moroka Swallows at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday evening.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The Brazilians saw their perfect start to the DStv Premiership season come to an end at the weekend when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Town City at the Cape Town Stadium.
It was the first time Masandawana had dropped points in 2023-24 after winning their opening 11 league matches and SuperSport United cut the gap down to five points in second place following their 3-1 win over Orlando Pirates on Saturday evening.
However, Sundowns remain unbeaten in their last 36 games in the top flight and Mokwena insists he is not concerned that their 100 per cent record has been halted as the players have been remarkably consistent despite their intense workload in the first half of the campaign.
"I'm not worried. We are No 1 in our Champions League group, and everyone is talking and making 'hoo-ha'. We are No 1 in the league, even with the difficult schedule we have," he said.
"We were in the final of the MTN8, we won the African Football League. So really, when I look at what we've done in the first round of the season, you've got to appreciate what this group of players has done.
"In every single match they give incredible effort. And you are not entitled to win. The result in football belongs to anyone.
"You have to keep going and focus on the process. The process is, what's the idea, how do you want to play, is that consistent in every game? And I think when you watch Sundowns you can see consistency in the ideas we want to implement on the pitch."
Swallows' form has dipped in recent weeks after they made an impressive start to life under Steve Komphela, who lost just two of his opening 10 games at the helm.
But a goalless draw with Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday extended the Dube Birds' winless run to five outings and pushed them out of the top eight to ninth position.
Komphela revealed after the 2-1 defeat to Matsatsantsa on December 15 that the players hadn't trained for 10 days due to a boycott over unpaid salaries, although the issue has subsequently been sorted out.
He admitted to sending out a plea to his squad to honour the fixture at the Dobsonville Stadium and declared that their poor run was a result of off-the-field issues.
"I had to send a voice note [on Thursday before the match] saying everybody has to report for duty. We had to find a way because we cannot [not play a match]," Komphela said.
"To be honest with you, it would have been bad not to honour the fixture or something worse than this happened. OK, the result is bad - but do you want to tell me we could have gone worse than this?
"We need to respect the game and those who value it. Part of that is you take the bashing trying to protect the club, but at the end of the day you get a lashing. Where we are is the culmination of what has been happening."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mamelodi Sundowns
Terrence Mashego: The 25-year-old left-back hasn't featured heavily for Sundowns this season and his freshness was evident against the Citizens as he provided impetus down the flank, creating chances for Thapelo Morena and Peter Shalulile. He has only made three league starts in 2023-24 and could have an important role to play against Swallows once more.
Moroka Swallows
Tlakusani Mthethwa: The 30-year-old midfielder will be pushing for only his fifth start of the season after an impressive cameo against Royal AM. He was involved in the Dube Birds' two most promising attacks in the closing stages, shooting wide from range before starting the move that saw Gregory Damons fire over from inside the box a couple of minutes later.