Stars coach pledges action from start in Buffalo match-up

PORT Elizabeth semi-professional football side Morning Stars face FC Buffalo in an Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe League clash at the Zwide Stadium today at 7pm.

The Kwazakhele-based outfit will be hoping to maintain their winning momentum in the second round of the league season after they defeated Jeffreys Bay Milan 3-1 last week.

Stars are 11th on the log standings with 15 points from 16 games, while Buffalo are fifth on 32 points.

The teams will clash for the second time in the league this season after Buffalo collected maximum points in the first-round encounter by dimming the Stars 1-0 at the Jan Smuts Stadium in East London.

Stars coach Siyabulela Isaac is confident of collecting three points to move a step closer to bettering his own team's position on the log table.

"We don't have an option but to attack from the first whistle blown and the players will have to be confident in front of the goal posts.

"We respect Buffalo but we won't let them bully us on our home ground."

Isaac said they expected a tough match but he had no doubt his troops could beat Buffalo.

"It's a big match for us but we are ready to embarrass Buffalo after they beat us in East London.

"We are now in a mean mood during the second round of the league – there is no time for dropping points."

Meanwhile another Port Elizabeth side campaigning in the same league, Highbury, are hungry to climb on top of the log when they play against unpredictable Dutywa side Matta Milan at the Ngumbela sports ground in Dutywa tomorrow at 3pm.

Third-placed Highbury defeated Milan 1-0 the last time the two teams met in the first round of the league at the Gelvandale Stadium.

Highbury are challenging for top spot on the log table after they played to a 2-2 draw against Tembu Royals last week.

Highbury share their position on the log, tied on 33 points with Royals in second place and log-leaders Angavu Stars. The top two teams are leading on goal difference.

Highbury coach Garth Dickinson has indicated he will employ the same strategy and tactics against Milan.

He remains pleased with the "brave and encouraging" performance displayed by the team against Royals last weekend.

He said the opposition side, Milan, were not strong enough to beat them, hence his team would not show them any respect.

"We've been training very hard to avoid our few previous mistakes but we are ready and prepared for them.

"Our boys are playing very well but they must keep up their fitness level."

Another Port Elizabeth side, Real City, will be on a mission to claim a top eight spot in the ABC Motsepe League when they face Champion at the New Rest Stadium in Lusikisiki tomorrow.

The Motherwell team drew 1-1 against Champion in the first round of the league at the NU9 Stadium.

But City are hoping to collect maximum points in Lusikisiki.

City coach Bonke Namba said the match would be tough and would be a must-win encounter for them.

"It's a do-or-die clash because we've got a task to beat them at home.

"It will be a tricky challenge because both teams are playing the same style of football – but our aim is to collect the full three points." - Mthetho Ndoni