Antipas pleased with Bulls

Bulls open their account away in South Africa over the weekend of February 17-19 and Antipas yesterday got the opportunity to assess his new-look side for the first time this season.
They beat a severely weakened CAPS United 2-1 in a friendly match at Rufaro.
Mighty Bulls defender Godfrey Moyo scored from the spot on the half-hour mark while new signing Ngoni Maviri scored a beauty in the 52nd minute as Motor Action came from behind to subdue the Green Machine.
Makepekepe fielded an unfamiliar team, made up of trialists and players from their junior development side, with former Motor Action striker Edmore Chitato putting them ahead in the 28th minute.
“The guys did fairly well since this was our first match as a team this season. We have new guys coming in and everyone is working hard,” said Antipas.
The Mighty Bulls threw into the starting line up a number of their new signings who include Jonathan Chitereki, Dominic Mukandi, Charles Mutero, James Jam and Misheck Mburayi.
Maviri, who scored the winning goal with a fine effort after getting a return pass in the penalty box, came in as a second half substitute.
He was joined on the pitch in the last 45 minutes by Fortune Ncube, Morris Kadzola and former Hwange marksman Tongai Magwendere who only lasted two minutes before he was shown a red card by referee Nomore Musundire for rough play on Brighton Chandisaita.
“Our new signings have given us the extra depth that we need and hopefully they will help us take the team to another level this season.
“We have our first game in the Confederation Cup next month and I think we still need to step up our preparations, especially on fitness. Once we improve on that we will be a strong force.
“I believe our opponents Leopards are already in good shape and we need to be ready for them by the time we play.”
Antipas also revealed he was worried about the unavailability of the Highfield United duo of Protasho Kabwe and Isaac Madziva who had been registered in the Mighty Bulls squad for the Confederation Cup.
But the Motor Action coach said they have not given up on the two players who reportedly failed to agree personal terms with the 2010 Premiership champions.
“We are still talking to Highfield and we will see what happens during the week. We need the players but if we fail to get them, then we may as well continue our preparations with those that we have,” said Antipas.
CAPS United assistant coach, Joel Luphahla, said they were using the match to assess the players who had been on trials this week.
The Green Machine also fielded former captain, Limited Chikafa, ex-FC Platinum midfielder Menard Mupera, former Dynamos defenders Brighton Tuwaya and Philip Sithole, James Chitereki and Vincent Nzombe.
“We tried as much as we could to accommodate everyone who has been coming for trials this week. We started our preparations on January 9 and we opened for trials on the 16th.
“So we just gave them the opportunity to showcase what they can offer and we also threw into the fray some of our youngsters from the juniors who are below 18 years.
“But for these guys to make it into the team they have got to be special because we have a strong squad this season. We will sit down with the coach (Lloyd Chitembwe) to review the performance,” said Lupahla.
The game was a curtain raiser to the fund-raising match between the musicians and the soccer legends, which ended in a 4-1 win for the latter.
Agent Sawu scored a brace with Lloyd Chitembwe and Gilbert Mushangazhike weighing in with a goal each.
Jays Marabini scored the face saver for the musicians in the second half.
The legends team, which was coached by Moses Chunga, featured players from the famous Dream Team of the ‘90s. Captain John Phiri played with Norman Mapeza at the back while Peter Ndlovu and Agent Sawu spearheaded the attack.
The charity event was organised by Chipaz Promotions and proceeds from the gates will be channelled towards junior football and for the upkeep of the late musician James Chimombe’s ailing son Freddy.
A good crowd watched the match.