Cape Town - Allan Freese wants his Platinum Stars side to stop conceding too many goals which puts them on the back foot.
Read: Dikwena have TKO advantage
“We keep having to chase the game because of conceding unnecessary goals and that makes it very difficult for us,” said Freese.
Stars have conceded 13 goals in nine Absa Premiership matches with only having one twice. Freese’s side are 13 on the log standings with five losses and two draws under their belt.
Dikwena are known to have switched their game once it comes to cup encounters having won the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout last season.
However, the Phokeng side have been struggling to find the right form even in Cup ties having been knocked out early last season.
According to KickOff, Freese admits that conceding goals first have deterred their performances this season.
“We have a problem with our defence, we are conceding too many silly goals,” Freese said.
“There were mistakes for both of their [Ajax] goals, but it is not just in this game.”
“We have to defend better than we did in those games (previous games), we cannot give away free goals.”
Stars face Kaizer Chiefs for the fourth time this season when they clash in the quarter-final of the Telkom Knockout.
Overall, the teams have met in 29 matches across all competitions since 2003/04. Chiefs have claimed 13 victories compared to seven for Dikwena, while nine matches have been drawn.
The Amakhosi have won five of their 13 home matches against Sunday's opponents, suffering just three defeats in the process.
Aside from this season's MTN8 meetings, Kaizer Chiefs have also beaten Stars in the league this season, winning 2-0 in Rustenburg in late August.
Kick-off is at 15:00 at FNB Stadium on Sunday, October 26.