Motor Action coach Joey Antipas said the two- week break to the league was a welcome relief to his team as the race for the title reaches fever pitch.
The league was suspended to accommodate the African Cup of Nations qualifiers in the first week while the second week was used by the BancABC final in which the Mighty Bulls took part.
Antipas’ men will resume their title defence on Saturday with a home match against Chicken Inn, who are without a doubt this year’s surprise package in the domestic league.
“We had not done well in our last matches so we needed to regroup as a team. I think we needed that break,” said Antipas.
“We are in the right frame of mind now. The morale is high after winning the BancABC final. But we don’t have to be too excited about it. We have to guard against complacency,” he added.
Prior to the break, the Mighty Bulls were seemingly running out of steam, picking just eight points from a possible 15.
However, with second-placed FC Platinum also having problems of their own, the Mighty Bulls managed to keep their pole position with 42 points, albeit on a superior goal difference.
The moneybags have picked a paltry six points from their previous five games, a dreary record for a team that is gunning for the title.
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Third-placed Dynamos are piling up the pressure on the leading pair though, and Antipas admitted he is feeling the heat.
The former Harare giants looked out of the race in the last few weeks, but an unbeaten run of three matches have seen them gaining ground against the early pacesetters. Dynamos are now just three points away from Motor Action.
“There is always pressure if you are in a competition. You need to win, so mine will be no exception, it’s normal. We are hoping to do our best and try to get a win against Chicken Inn,” said Antipas.
Antipas will be hoping to capitalise on Chicken Inn’s record as bad travellers. They have collected 12 points from 11 matches on the road.
Except for that awful away record, the Bulawayo-based team who were promoted to the league at the start of the season have performed beyond expectations.
Their fairytale run in the league is premised on a solid home record. They have accumulated 33 points so far and are sitting pretty on fifth position on the log.
The Drumstick Boys will go into the match without their reliable and experienced captain Herbert Dick, through suspension, while the Mighty Bulls will be without Passmore Bernard, Isaac Masame and Conrad Whitby for similar reasons.
However, Motor Action received a major boost ahead of the match with the return from injury of Kuda Musharu, Tawanda Nyamandwe and Isaac Masame.
FC Platinum will also look for a turn of fortunes when they host a rejuvenated Caps United at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
Dynamos will welcome Zimbabwe Saints at Rufaro 24 hours later as they look to maintain their unbeaten run and keep pressure on the log leaders, while Highlanders are at home to Blue Ribbon.
