Reserve team coach Evangelos Vellios has expressed his excitement ahead of this weekend’s DStv Diski Challenge festival encounter against derby rivals Cape Town Spurs.

The Young Maroons head into the Cape Derby on the back of two four-goal wins, having last weekend defeated Royal AM courtesy of goals from Quwan Plaatjies and Tyler Cicero, and a brace from 2022-23 Diski top scorer, Mervin Boji.

Head coach Evangelos Vellios reflects proudly on his team’s recent performance; “The boys have done really well over the past couple of weeks, they are on a nice run with good momentum and I am very proud of them.”

Read | Stellenbosch-born Smith delights at first South Africa U-20 call-up

Looking forward to the weekend, Stellies will compete at their Asidlalu festival of the season at the Tsakane Stadium, where they will go up against Cape Town Spurs on Sunday at 13h00.

“We obviously have this big derby lined up this weekend in Gauteng and we know that form goes out the window when it is a derby because logs don’t matter,” Vellios adds.

“There’s a lot at stake and players fire themselves up for these games, so we are going to have to go in there with a lot of focus and concentration to come out with a good result and a solid performance.

Read | Vellios: Diski starlets reaping rewards of team’s collective success

“We know about Cape Town Spurs and about their DNA but we have a clear style of our own on how we want to play and follow the game model that we want to implement.

“We will rather focus our energy there and make sure that the boys implement that to the best of their ability, and then look to neutralise their threats and exploit the areas where we think we can hurt them.”

The upcoming clash against Spurs takes place on a derby weekend across the division, with the likes of SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and TS Galaxy and Moroka Swallows all competing at the same venue.

Read | Stellies’ DDC trio named in South Africa U-20 squad

“We love the festivals,” Vellios concludes.

“It adds double pressure for the boys when they perform on national television and with the bigger crowds that gather at the stadium, which is an atmosphere and excitement that they have to learn how to deal with.

“It’s great for the players and gives them exposure, though, and the standard of the Diski festivals this season have been really good with top performances, which bodes well for the country.”