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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns face the rare prospect of losing a fourth straight game when they take on Orlando Pirates in a Premiership clash on Wednesday night.
Reigning African champions Sundowns, who have been so dominant over the last few years, appear to have hit a wall.
Going into the match against the Buccaneers, they have lost to AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs in the league, while also going down to Chippa United in the Telkom Knockout last weekend.
Head coach Pitso Mosimane accepts it's a difficult time for his team, but remains confident in the quality of his squad.
"We keep going. We don't give up, it's a good team. You must not forget where we're coming from. It's our time, we have to pay the price. We have to try harder," he said after losing to Chippa.
"But to press panic buttons and say the team doesn't play well I don't, maybe I like my team so much. I've been with this team for the past five years I know where it comes from and where it is now.
"We're going through the phase, it's a difficult phase. I have to raise my hand and lead the team and I'm not going to hide. You know me, I don't quit."
Pirates, occupying third spot on the league table, have drawn their last three matches in the league.
However, their confidence will have been boosted by a hard-fought 1-0 victory over on-form Golden Arrows in the Telkom Knockout last weekend.
Pirates head coach Milutin Sredojevic perhaps summed up well the vibe going into Wednesday's game when he said, "It is one team that has reached the best of their abilities in the last two years against another team that is on the rise - ourselves. We are in the process of rebuilding and the process of proving ourselves.
"We are extremely motivated, respecting our opponents while also having respect for ourselves, our club of 80 years, our supporters and most importantly the funny and unpredictable nature of football," Sredojevic added,
Neither team has any suspensions or reported new injury concerns.
Kick off is at 19:30.
