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A battle of the stars awaits Alex this weekend

This weekend's [April 21] encounter with Loyo Stars will be a clash of the tightens, says United Stars coach Sakhile Zulu.

United Stars has fallen victim to yet another act of being the fall guy as the River Park side ‘fell’ 1–3 to a rejuvenated Norwood Young Stars in the ANLFA Promotional League at the Number 3 Square Ground on April 13.

Stars president cum-coach Sakhile Zulu said his side played well and his boys had several chances, especially in the first half, that they failed to convert.
“Those missed opportunities came back to haunt us when the Norwood side made use of the chances they got. It’s the way football goes sometimes. you win some, draw some, and lose some, but what is important is to wake up from the fall, dust yourselves off and start winning again,” Zulu added.

“I am just hoping we can get back to winning ways. The league is a marathon and we need whatever points we can get to keep up the pace as it is getting hot at the top of the table in this final stretch.”
This weekend, it’s a battle of the stars as United Stars are up against a free-scoring side, Loyo Stars, whose lethal striker Linecker Mbesuma has overtaken Njabulo Shabalala as the leading goal scorer with 22 goals while Shabalala has 21.

Although United Stars beat Loyo 3–1 in the first round, Zulu was the first to admit that this time it might be a different ball game, and that his side needs to up their game if they hope to beat them twice.
“I did not have my full squad of players against Norwood for a variety of reasons but they are all back now, and I keep my fingers crossed we will get the results we want as we don’t want to lose too many games and jeopardise our chances of gaining promotion to the Hollywood Bets League.”

Zulu said his players were well aware of what was at stake and they were all at training sessions, showing commitment and how much they needed these points. “What I noticed in the previous game was that we were not quick to close spaces once we lost the ball and our attacking was not that speedy either.

Zulu predicted this would be one of the best matches ever in the league. “We both have quality-free scoring players and I am confident my players will be up to the task this time around. This will be a clash of the tightens.”#

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