Mthetho Ndoni
KWAZAKHELE-based semi-professional football team Morning Stars expect a tough derby with Real City in a Safa Eastern Cape Second Division League clash at Motherwell Stadium on Saturday.
Stars coach Siyabulela Isaac is wary of facing an improving City in their backyard at NU2.
The two sides will clash for the first time in a league match but Motherwell team City have the upper hand after they defeated Stars on penalties in a provincial southern district Nedbank Cup Challenge semifinal last year.
Isaac has reason to be concerned as City have moved up the Safa Eastern Cape Second Division standings to 10th place after winning two consecutive games.
"This is a derby and we will not be taking them lightly because this is the one game of the year they live for, particularly at home.
"We are not taking any chances this time after they knocked us out of the Nedbank Cup in November last year. They are still the favourites considering the fact they are the hosts and they have home-ground advantage."
He said his charges were ready for the derby and if they performed to their ability the team would get the outcome they wanted.
City coach Bonke Namba said this was a must win league match. They were determined to prove they were the kings of the Nelson Mandela Bay teams campaigning in the country's third highest football division.
"Cup games are totally different to league matches, hence I have no doubt they [Stars] will be out for revenge after we beat them in the Nedbank Challenge."
Namba said they would play their normal game and his players would have to stick to the game plan if they wanted to beat Stars again.