There are a couple of reasons Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson is excited about playing Absa Premiership reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns tonight.

Firstly, Johnson is sure that both sides will play attacking football, which makes for an interesting match at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace (7.30pm kickoff).

Secondly, it's a chance for Stars to play against the best team in Africa, which will motivate his players.

Stars need a big performance and, more importantly, maximum points to open up a gap between themselves and bottom club Baroka.

Dikwena, who are sitting dangerously in 14th place, are just three points ahead of fellow strugglers Baroka.

"It's going to be a difficult game because Sundowns are not champions of Africa for nothing. We will put our best foot forward. We have to be at our best so that we can get a result.

"Hopefully, it will be a good spectacle because we both like to play an open game, we don't like to park the bus," said Johnson.

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium used to be a fortress where few teams walked away with points, but it's been a free for all this season. Dikwena have registered just one victory in their back yard this season.

"It's tight at the top of the table, but it's even tighter at the bottom. We want to maintain good form at home [in the second half of the season].

"You feel pressure, whether you are at the top, in the middle or at the bottom. We just have to be on our foot because the games are coming thick and fast.

"We have to put up a good performance against a well-oiled machine," said Johnson, who will be without suspended striker Henrico Botes.

Since 2009, fifth-placed Sundowns have only won three league matches at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. With this record, Downs' coach Pitso Mosimane is not likely to read too much into Stars' results at home this season. So he'll come fully prepared to try and get maximum points.