Royal AM will attempt to get their title challenge back on track when they host Maritzburg United in a DStv Premiership derby encounter at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Dan Malesela made a winning start to his tenure after his side beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 and Chippa United 3-1 in their opening two games to sit at the top of the table.
But they have gone winless in their next three matches, with a 2-2 draw against Marumo Gallants on Sunday coming on the back of two successive defeats to Stellenbosch and Orlando Pirates.
Thwihli Thwahla have slipped to sixth place and find themselves three points adrift of league leaders AmaZulu, with Malesela admitting they need to cope with the pressure of matching the team's achievements of last season.
"There will always be pressure for everybody and for us as well because the team had done well last season and we can't let things (get) a bit loose," the former Gallants head coach said.
"We've got to up the momentum, up the tempo of what was happening last season otherwise if we drop then we're failing this team."
John Maduka comes up against his former employers just a couple of months after they surprisingly parted ways following the club's stellar debut season in the top flight.
The Team of Choice finally registered their first win of the campaign when they came from behind to beat Chippa 2-1 on Saturday.
However, Maritzburg have collected six points from their opening five matches, with their only blip thus far being a 3-0 defeat to Chiefs.
Maduka anticipates a cagey KZN derby against a team his knows very well, but he's hoping to strike a good balance tactically in order to come away with a positive result.
"We expect a very difficult game against Royal AM," the Malawian tactician said. "They are a good team, we are a good team as well, so we expect a very tough game.
"We know that it will be a game where there is more caution, and we need good balance. We must be able to defend well, but also take the game to the opposition."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Royal AM
Ricardo Nascimento: The Brazilian is enjoying a fine start to the season after scoring twice in his first five appearances. Both goals were important as Nascimento netted the winner against Amakhosi before he struck in stoppage time to rescue a dramatic point at home to Gallants. But his first job will be to ensure the defence keeps Maritzburg at bay in midweek.
Andre de Jong: The New Zealand forward has hit the ground running at Royal AM, bagging three goals in five outings since his arrival from local rivals AmaZulu in the off-season. After making four successive starts, De Jong only made the bench for the clash with Gallants, although he was introduced in the second half for Tebogo Potsane and will be hoping for another opportunity on Wednesday.
Maritzburg United
Friday Samu: The Zambian was brought back into the starting line-up against the Chilli Boys after impressing off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Cape Town City last week. He repaid the faith by restoring parity against Chippa to register his first goal of the season.
Kimvuidi Karim: The DR Congo attacking midfielder was handed his third start of the campaign against Chippa as Maduka looks to ease him into his new surroundings. Karim put in a man-of-the-match display against Orlando Pirates and expectations will have risen for the off-season signing.