Serame Letsoaka is a relieved man after his Free State Stars side picked up a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over his former side Golden Arrows on Saturday.

The Stars coach is hopeful that the result will mean a change in fortune for his underperforming team. El Lla Koto have now risen to 13th on the log, four points above the relegation zone.

Letsoaka attributes the improved performance to a more steady showing from his defence.

‘I am glad that we are looking solid at the back and we have kept two clean sheet in the last two matches, which is the positive sign,’ he told the Free State Stars website

Hovering around the bottom of the league table has become somewhat of a norm for the Bethlehem- based outfit, but the El Lla Koto coach is hopeful that his team will gradually move out of the drop zone.

‘My boys have been in that relegation zone before and we are striving to move away from there, we are taking it one game at a time,’ he said.

The former SuperSport United assistant coach feels that his Stars players are finally beginning to adapt to his coaching style and he believes that being a former player of the club has helped him to adjust quickly to his new coaching role.

‘I think the players are starting to understand me now, I know the culture and the philosophy of the team, as I was part of the side that achieved promotion into the South African top-flight,” the former Bafana Bafana assistant coach said.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic coach praised the leadership of his new club and is grateful to have their full backing.

“We have a very healthy and good relationship with the management, they are very supportive and very patient with me.” he concluded.

Free State Stars will now travel to the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday to face Maritzburg United.

Kick-off has been set for 15:30.