Owen da Gama, coach of Stars, may have as little as two games to save his job, while his Pirates counterpart, Julio Leal, faces discontent within the team.

Da Gama needs to win, or at least draw, tonight and avoid defeat on Sunday in Bloemfontein against Celtic to hang on to his position.

Leal's future is more complex.

The owners of Platinum Stars are unhappy with the club's log position. They are third from bottom, just two points ahead of Cosmos, who are second-last. Their last win was four months ago when they beat Santos 4-1 at Moruleng stadium.

Da Gama is putting on a brave face, though.

"We have a great team that is determined to finish well inside the top eight bracket," said the optimistic coach.

"We are always under pressure as coaches; we are the ones fired when the team does not do well and yet I'm not the one missing penalties."

Some senior players at Pirates have expressed concern, saying Leal is not in charge of the dressing room.

The players claim to have approached the club's management about Leal's training methods which they say are predictable, "playing 11 against 11 at training".

These players have pleaded for the return of former assistant coach Joao da Silva, who resigned last month to focus on his construction business in Brazil.

Leal is also reported not to be on good terms with physical trainer Japhet Neto.

Club spokesman Mickey Modisane said: "There is no such thing; we are one big happy family. The coach has been given space to do his work, he works with the technical team. The players must sit down with the technical staff if they have some concerns."

Pirates have Isaac Chansa back from the Nations Cup, where he was part of the winning Zambian team, and Oupa Manyisa returns from suspension.

Bucs must keep an eye on Platinum Stars' Thuso Phala, who always rises to the occasion against the big guns.

Dribbling wizard Dikgang Mabalane will also be available for Pirates after regaining his magical form.

In Polokwane tonight, Black Leopards have vowed to send Bloemfontein Celtic back to the Free State empty-handed. They meet at Peter Mokaba stadium.

"There is no way Celtic will get even a single point," said Leopards chairman David Thidiela.

Both matches start at 7.30pm.