Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele believes they must not be blinded by Swallows' form as his former club remains a team capable of turning the odds against any team on any day as was evidenced last season.
Chiefs make the short trip to Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday afternoon where Swallows will be waiting.
The Birds have sunk to second from bottom after winning once in eleven games this season.
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So bad has been their form that they haven't won a game from the last 12 that they have played in all competitions, the evidence of which is now shown in their position on the log standings.
"I've seen teams at the bottom of the league beat teams that are number one or number two. So, we just must focus on ourselves, our game plan and treat them with respect because they are still a very good team and can hurt you at any given day," warns Mphahlele.
"And also, you know when teams play against Kaizer Chiefs they just tend to revive themselves and play well so we cannot take anything for granted. I mean the minute we start looking at teams and their positions that is going to be the downfall of us.
"We must just work on ourselves and prepare well for the game, so we just have to go in and try to get maximum points against Swallows. Like I said they are a good team that we cannot afford to take for granted," he says.
After coming back to feature in the last games, the 31-year-old insists that he hasn't been clouding his mind about title thoughts though Chiefs could move into second place at the end of this weekend.
"I don't even look at the table now and I can't even tell you what position we are in because our focus is on one game at a time and trying to get positive results.
"I believe it is good to collect points early in the season, but a league is a marathon, and it can be won on the last day and it can be won earlier so we will focus on ourselves and try to improve our own game and own team because that is the most important thing. If we can get the team to improve then the results will follow," says Mphahlele.