Struggling Premier Soccer League (PSL) rookies Mpumalanga Black Aces, face a David and Goliath confrontation when they host Kaizer Chiefs at the Puma Rugby Stadium on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Under pressure Aces coach Sammy Troughton, however, believes a win over 'Amakhosi' could be the turning point of the season.

Aces lost 2-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday, leaving the club precariously close to the bottom of the table.

Troughton, in a frank interview, admitted he was under pressure to get results: "We have only collected 12 points from 13 games and I know that is not good enough.

"In my opinion the players are performing well under the circumstances and the last thing I want is to put them under pressure. That is my job.

"But we need more quality and better finishing inside opponents' penalty areas, but due to financial constraints I have to make do with what I have.

"I realise there will not be a magic wand to bring me some big name strikers, but at the same time I cannot be forced to make radical changes as I do not have the players to do that."

But Troughton said he was happy to host Chiefs. "I am glad we play Chiefs next.

"They are still a big team and my players will be highly charged and up for the challenge.

"Chiefs supporters will expect them to roll us over easily while my supporters will want a result.

"So we have the ingridients for a tough battle on and off the field."

Troughton said the hard realities of life in the top flight have been underlined since Aces and Jomo Cosmos won promotion.

"We heard the predictions at the start of the season that Aces and Cosmos would go straight back to the First Division, but we are not down yet ? far from it.

"In fact we are a long way from that position and we have plenty of fight in us."

Troughton watched Saturday's disappointing Soweto Derby at the Orlando Stadium where Chiefs and Orlando Pirates drew 0-0 in one of the worst Derbies seen in years.

"Chiefs and Pirates cancelled each other out. It will be a different Chiefs who we will play.

"Chiefs will want to come and attack us. I hope they do as that could leave the door open for us."

But Troughton said while his players were disappointed at losing both their away matches ? they lost 1-0 away to Maritzburg United last Wednesday ? fatigue came into the picture.

"The travelling to and from Maritzburg and Bloemfontein has taken its toll and hopefully the players will have recovered by Wednesday."

The Aces coach said the fact his team are creating chances gave him hope. "Against Celtic we played well and missed a couple of easy chances, but at least we are creating those chances and eventually they will go in."

Troughton will be looking to striker Mpho Maleka and attacking midfielder Clifford Mulenga, to unlock the Chiefs defence and cause a major upset and kick start Aces season.