Motor Action coach Joey Antipas believes they are on the verge of qualifying for the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup after his team held Black Leopards in the first leg of the preliminary round played at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
The Mighty Bulls, who are being financed by Mbada Diamonds in this competition, shared the spoils 1-1 with Leopards who currently anchor the South African Absa Premiership.
The Limpopo-based side did not field Zimbabwean players Zvenyika Makonese and Kingstone Nkhata in Saturday’s match, which was played in an empty stadium.
Makonese is not registered in the continental competition while Nkhata was rested for use in their relegation escape battle. Motor Action defender Godfrey Moyo scored a goal that could tilt the scale in favour of Eric Rosen’s side with a well-taken penalty.
The all-important away goal makes the task easier for the Mighty Bulls when they host Black Leopards in Harare in a fortnight.
Moyo cancelled an earlier goal by the hosts through a header by Vincent Xecane. Antipas said: “The game was a tale of two halves. They dominated us in the first half when we were employing the cautious approach, but we changed the technique in the second half and you could see an improvement. The game in Harare will be tough, but we can’t afford to lose at home. We are going to punish them.”
The Mighty Bulls were impressive in defence but veteran goalkeeper and captain Marlon Jani was found wanting as he failed to deal with corners and set pieces.
Leopards’ goal was as a result of Jani’s lapse in concentration after he failed to deal decisively with the corner kick, allowing Xecane to find the target with a glancing header.
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“Our midfielders and strikers did not come to the party. I think we should strengthen those departments,” said Antipas.
Ngonidzashe Mavhiri and Protasho Kabwe were provided with good service, but they let the team down with poor finishing.
Mavhiri slapped the post while Kabwe shot tamely with the goalkeeper at his mercy in one of the chances.
Motor Action was lucky to come out of the magnificent Peter Mokaba Stadium unscathed after Moyo scored the leveller in the dying minutes. The team is expected in the country this afternoon.
