The Buccaneers were on a three-match winning run in December and are unbeaten in their last ten league games. However, they lost to Babina Noko in their opening clash of the campaign, as Abdeslam Ouaddou took charge of his first match.

While Bucs are in second place on the standings with 28 points from 12 games, an in-form Sekhukhune are just three points adrift from their 14 matches played.

Speaking ahead of the game, Mbatha said to the Sowetan: “I believe that we will continue where we left off before the break. We plan to continue winning games.

“As you know, we lost our first league game of the season against Sekhukhune [in August]. We believe that we have to do better when we face them on Saturday. We have to get maximum points.”

Club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi added that he’s hopeful of all three points against Sekhukhune, with a fully fit Bucs squad.

“Everyone came back in good shape. The whole squad is available for the coach for selection, and that’s good for us going into the second round of the season,” he said. “We are just waiting for the first game against Sekhukhune, and see how it goes.”