Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Durban Stars chairman Phindani Nene said they would invade Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night for their First Division clash with Maritzburg United determined to upstage the early pacesetters.

Isivunguvungu Segagasi, as they are affectionately called, play coastal stream log leaders United in one of the KwaZulu-Natal derbies scheduled for the weekend.

Nene said they always go onto the pitch with one purpose - to win.

"Nothing will be different on Friday night. We will be going out there for a win. But we don't want to put ourselves under pressure and say we will win, but we will give it our best," said Nene.

He said it was still early days for them to start waging war against the log leaders, they also want to see themselves climbing the ladder.

"We respect United and the fact that they will be playing at home means we need to be more careful, but my players are so focused that they would want to win," he said.

"A derby is a derby and a lot is at stake. The Team of Choice is topping the log and is the team to beat and that's what we want to do."

Ian Palmer, United's coach, said they want to keep up their good run and Stars were not bound to disturb them. He said playing at home will be an added advantage, though it does not mean they are automatic winners.

"We will play our normal game, but one thing is certain, and that is Stars will have to dig deep if they entertain any thought of winning on Friday. My players are on top of their game and I don't see them faltering against Stars," he said.