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VANDERBIJLPARK. - Sedibeng soccer fans will be divided when VUT FC and Emfuleni Real Barcelona FC clash in what promises to be the mother of all local derbies on Saturday.

These two local sides will clash in their Safa Vodacom Promotion League match that is scheduled to take place at the Isak Steyl Stadium at 13:00 this coming Saturday.

What makes this encounter even more exciting is that both sides come into Saturday's match after registering their first win of the season over the weekend. The newly promoted Barcelona collected three points by beating Benoni Premiers 2-0 at the Dick Fourie Stadium on Sunday, while the Students, VUT FC, trounced Africa All Stars 2-1 away from home on the same day.

The popular belief is that form counts for nothing in derby matches and the same can be said about Saturday's anticipated encounter.

Both teams' coaches sound very confident when Weekly Sports ask them about this Saturday match. The Students' coach, Moses Moloi, told Weekly Sport that the two sides will put their friendship on hold for 90 minutes on Saturday and adds that this is one game that they would love to win at all costs. Nevertheless, Moloi says that he has major respect for Barcelona.

"We are not going to underestimate Barcelona, because they have some of the most exciting players in the league. Having said this, we desperately need those three points to improve our position on the log. Our weekend win has boosted our morale and my players are looking forward to this encounter," says Moloi.

On paper the Students are the favourites, looking at their technical staff, which comprises of the likes of Fusi Mareletsa, who had a successful stay with Dona's Mates and Riverside FC a while ago.

Moloi's counterpart at Barcelona, Dingane Tshabalala, says that this derby has come at the just right time, as his side have now started to gel together. The former Jomo Cosmos star says that they will use this derby to their advantage.

"We want to make our impression felt in this game because the whole Sedibeng will be attending it. We must get positive results to close up the gap on the log," says Tshabalala.

A disadvantage on Barcelona's side, however, is the fact that they will be without their deadly striker Ramoneng Mokoena who was sent off over the weekend. Nevertheless, Tshabalala says they will try a new combination up front.

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