Cape Town - Polokwane City captain Jabu Maluleke is relishing their Black Aces encounter when the PSL action resumes this weekend.
The league has been on a hiatus over the festive period, but teams are back in the swing of things this week as they prepare for their first league match of 2016.
Rise and Shine will be aiming to return to the winning trail after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows at the end of December.
They currently occupy 11th place in the Absa Premiership with 12 points from their opening 12 fixtures.
"I'm looking forward to facing Mpumalanga Black Aces for the first time this season," Maluleke told the club's official website.
"It's going to be a tough game considering that they have had a good run this season having won seven of their games and only losing two.
"The defeat to Arrows left a bitter taste in our mouths. However, it's not about venting out this weekend. We will play our game the way we know how and the best team will win on the day.
"It's not nice to lose to Arrows in that manner. We have been hard at work in camp after the setback against Arrows. It's a long journey, there will be obstacles. We want to do well for our supporters."
Kick-off is at 20:15 on Saturday, January 9.