Stars are involved in what is arguably a three-horse race for the league title and currently sit in third place in the table, four points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs and three back from second-placed Orlando Pirates. Johnson is quick to talk down the chances of a championship challenge, but is delighted with the way his players responded in the first half of the campaign.

The squad worked well as a unit and there is a great camaraderie among the players, something Johnson hopes to rediscover when the league resumes with a home meeting against Bloemfontein Celtic on February 13.

“We are going to Durban for four days next week,” Johnson confirms. “It is more of a team-building exercise than for training purposes. We want to have the guys together again for 24 hours and get back to where we were before the break.

“There is a great spirit at the club, everybody works very hard for each other and that has been an important part of our success.”

Johnson also expressed satisfaction with the players’ on-field performance during their recent friendly matches, which included a meeting with 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers Algeria, as well as fellow Premiership sides Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United.

“At the moment things are going very well, we have no injuries which is a big plus,” Johnson says. “The friendlies have been very good for us against top-quality opposition and that is exactly what we want.

“We will play two more games on Friday (today), both against Mpumalanga Black Aces, and then we head to Durban.”