Under the guidance of Eric Tinkler, the team has enjoyed an impressive run this season, trailing current leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a single point.

Read: Gavin Hunt prepares for a challenging encounter against Kaizer Chiefs

With a game in hand and nine matches played, victory in Bloemfontein could see Sekhukhune leapfrog Masandawana and take pole position in the title race.

They have lost just once all season in the league, 1-0 to Polokwane City in September, but were also losing semi-finalists in the MTN8 to Stellenbosch, and crashed out of the Carling Knockout in the last 16 at the hands of Golden Arrows.

Siwelele, meanwhile, are struggling at the bottom end of the Premiership with just eight points from their 10 games, that includes just two victories.

They did pick up a hard-fought point in a goalless draw with Kaizer Chiefs last time out, after four successive league losses.

Speaking after that game, Siwelele head coach Lehlohonolo Seema said on Goal: “The mindset of the players is very positive and they are believing in the process.

“We had to work on mental strength because this team was low in confidence. They used to play not to lose, but now we’re trying to play to win. It’s a process, and we’re getting there.

“If we cannot win away, we must at least get a point, but at home it’s a must-win. When we get three points at home, you’ll see how big this point becomes.

“Sooner or later, we’ll get it right and win one, two, maybe even three or four in a row. That will be good.”

After his side’s shock loss to Polokwane, Tinker said in the Sowetan: “We wanted to extend our lead.

There is no monkey off our back. I want to win. I want to keep going and I want to keep the record going. Disappointed with the results.

“And the players, I can’t fault them for the effort. The effort they have given me is absolutely superb, but today [Saturday], like I said, we needed certain finer details that they struggled to produce.”