Antipas confident of victory

face Cote d’Ivoire giants Asec Mimosas in a must-win Champions League first round clash at Rufaro this afternoon.
Asec arrived in Harare yesterday with a strong delegation of 17 players and eight officials, and their French coach Sebastien Desabre immediately declared their desire to upset the Zimbabwe champions.
“This is a 90-minute game so it’s going to be a 50-50 affair. The situation is very complicated but we are confident of winning.
“We have big ambitions although the situation has been very exceptional on our part. There is war in our country and we did not have optimal practice conditions but I think we are prepared for this game,” said Desabre.
The 1998 champions, who are seeking to regain their yesteryear glory after missing the group stages in the last two years, are coming from a resounding 9-0 aggregate win over ASC Consando of Mauritius in the preliminary round.
But Antipas yesterday said Motor Action would not read much into the visitors’ curriculum vitae. Instead the Mighty Bulls are looking forward to make full use of home advantage in this make-or-break tie after the Confederation of African Football ruled that winners to progress to the second round would be decided over one leg. Caf this week cancelled their return leg due to the unstable political environment in Abidjan. But Antipas is hoping for a much-improved performance from his side after his charges failed their first home test in this tournament when suffering a 1-0 defeat to Madagascar outfit CNAPS Sports in January.
The Mighty Bulls who put up a sorry performance at Rufaro needed a second bite of the cherry to beat CNAPS Sports by the same margin away in Antananarivo before emerging victors after a penalty shootout. Antipas, however, reckons that they have learnt from the experience and believes the game this afternoon can go either way.
“This is anybody’s game and we cannot afford to take any risks since winners will be decided in one leg. It’s like a cup final where winners take all.
“So for us it’s total war. We are going out to them and we will be hoping to take full advantage of playing at home. But one thing for sure is that they are also coming down here to attack and put more pressure on us. In that case we will not throw the caution to the wind. We have to avoid conceding and at the same time we need to score the goals to take us through,” said Antipas.
“Asec are a strong side. The fact that they scored nine goals in the preliminary round is exceptional, even if they were playing a weak side. It calls us to be on our guard,” he added.
The Mighty Bulls coach said he was happy he had most of his players in good health with right back Passmore Barnard, who picked up an ankle injury in the Charity Shield match against Dynamos last week the only casualty.
The Mighty Bulls camp was also relieved following the recovery of midfield strongman Edward Tembo who had also suffered a knock in the game against Dynamos. Antipas said Motor Action are confident of a positive result against the Ivorian giants who have a poor record in Zimbabwe after losing to Dynamos and Monomotapa at Rufaro in previous competitions.
“We have polished our act but in football you are never satisfied. There is always room for improvement and we have been working hard to balance all areas,” said Antipas. Motor Action have in their squad four players who are no strangers to ASEC. Strikers Edmore Chitato, Kuda Musharu, Tawanda Nyamandwe and defender Ocean Mushure still cherish memories of 2009 when they beat the former African champions at Rufaro while turning out for Monomotapa.
Chitato, yesterday refused to be intimidated by the Ivorians credentials and rallied his new teammates to believe in themselves.
“This game is more important to us now since it is going to be one leg. We need to win at all costs. ASEC are a good side and I remember they totally dominated us in Abidjan and could have won by a big margin had they taken all their chances.
“They had a young and very energetic team and they were very dangerous at home but we beat them when they came here. So we have the same advantage and we should use it,” Chitato said. Chitato said Motor Action should not be looked at in light of their preliminary round performance against CNAPS Sports. The bulky forward is expected to lead the Mighty Bulls attack with Musharu and Enasio Perezo while veteran goalkeeper Marlon Jani guards the goal. Jani is expected to get some cover from Sam Mutenheri, Temba Ndlovu, Mushure and Reuben Machaya. ASEC have a potent strikeforce led by Adama Bakayoko who was the league’s best player last season. Bakayoko will be supported by Halidou Garba and Krizo Jean Imere Yao.
But Desabre also has more options in Kofi Davy Boua, Jean-Jacques Bougoughi and Olarenwaju Ayobami Kayode who have all done well for the club. National team goalkeeper Daniel Yeboah is set to take his place between the posts with Gauthier Koffi, Zahui Okou, Ahmed Diomande and Robert Sankara also likely to start in defence.