According to the Football411 website, the Buccaneers have seen their PSL title defence fall well off the pace following five successive draws, the most recent one a 2-2 result away to relegation threatened Ajax Cape Town.
That run has seen Pirates slip to third, while also allowing Kaizer Chiefs to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the standings, with just five matches remaining after the round of midweek fixtures.
Despite having been unable to topple the Urban Warriors last Wednesday, De Sa felt his side performed admirably, and is looking for the same focus when they travel to the Charles Mopeli Stadium this week.
"I think we played very well against Ajax and could have walked away with the three points, but in the end we got a point which is of course not good for us," the coach told the club's official website.
"We have to keep working; we have been seeing good sings of improvements in the way we play, so this is the situation for us.
"Against Free State Stars we will fight for a win - it's another cup final for us, so we've got to be ready for it."