Free State Stars coach Giovanni Solinas is slowly finding out how difficult South African football can be.

After a promising start with two victories in as many matches, Ea Lla Koto are without a win in their last three matches and they've slipped out of the top eight on the Absa Premiership standings.

Stars were made to look like amateurs by Mamelodi Sundowns, who came from a goal down to hammer them 5-2 thanks to a brilliant second-half display at James Motlatsi Stadium on Sunday.

Stars are in 10th place on 22 points, and their Italy-born coach believes 12 more points would be enough to keep them safe in the top flight.

They'll fancy their chances of edging closer to their target when they face struggling Jomo Cosmos at Olen Park on Saturday (3.30pm).

"This league is difficult and the table is very tight. Every game is difficult, but we are targeting survival.

"I don't know, maybe we need 33 or 34 points to survive at the end of the season," said Solinas following the weekend's 2-5 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.

"It was a difficult game for us. We played well in the first half because we had good spirit, good attitude and good tactical discipline.

"But we lost concentration and Sundowns deserved to win the game."

Stars will go to Cosmos knowing that they are facing a side low in confidence.

Cosmos may have beaten Orlando Pirates recently, but they've not inspired any hope and it's hard to see them getting out of the trouble they find themselves in.

Ezenkosi will struggle to contain Ea Lla Koto's attacking players Mrisho Ngasa and Danny Venter.