WHEN Platinum Stars chairman Floyd Mbele appointed Cavin Johnson to coach Dikwena, he had no doubt the man would take the club to greater heights.

"I have followed Cavin's career as a development coach for a long time, he developed the likes of Steven Pienaar, Bernard Parker, Brett Evans, Masilo Modubi and Dominic Isaacs.

"Cavin did a great job at the Transnet Football School of Excellence unearthing new talent; he is one of the rising stars of South African coaching. We are confident Cavin and the entire team will definitely build on the successes of winning the Premier Soccer League Q -Innovation 2.

"Consistency is key in winning games," said Mbele, whose team start their Absa Premiership second round against Moroka Swallows in Dobsonville tonight at 7.30.

Stars captain Vuyo Mere, whose club won six of the seven matches in the quarter to pocket the Q-Innovation 2 R1.5-million prize, warned Swallows not to expect any favours.

"We are aware Swallows have been going through a bad patch but we equally need maximum points to start Q-Innovation 3 with a win," he said.

Swallows coach Zeca Marques is going into this game well aware a defeat will mark the end of the road in his career as head coach of the once high-flying Dube Birds. Under-siege Marques, who won the MTN8 in August, has already lost the first of two games he was instructed to win after going down 2-1 to Bloemfontein Celtic at the weekend.

Swallows have gone eight games without a victory, losing five of those games on the trot.

Midfield general David Mathebula is optimistic Swallows will show Dikwena the stars to avenge the 3-1 defeat inflicted on them in the first round in August.

"We are working hard but the problem is that goals have been eluding us. We hope to end the poor results and start the second round with a win.

"The Birds are determined to fly higher and higher to go back into the top-eight bracket on the log. Stars will go back home empty- handed," said Mathebula.