Leopards eager to prove a point

Motor Action scheduled for Sunday at Rufaro.
The Polokwane-based outfit were held           to a 1-1 draw by the Mighty Bulls at their backyard, and coach Vladislav Heric said  that they are aiming to put up a strong           fight in Harare to progress to the next        round.
Heric told the South African media that Leopards will take the game to Motor         Action and expressed confidence in his players’ capabilities despite playing away from home.
Leopards have been preparing on an artificial turf ahead of the game.
“We want to go further in this tournament,” he said.
“We can do it but it is going to be difficult. My players are ready for the challenge.
“It is going to be tough especially considering that we will be playing them away. Since most people have written us off, we have nothing to lose but go out there and give it our all.
“We can’t complain about what people think of us. It is our call now whether we take the responsibility and prove those people wrong or not.
“My squad is confident and they are determined to make it count.
“The key has been to prepare the players mentally and I think they are there. It will be hard considering everything that has happened to us but their response has been positive.
“I am sure we will go out there and make South Africa proud,” said Heric.
Leopards are expected in Harare today with a strong squad of 16 players.
Assistant coach, Abel Makhubela, yesterday told the club’s website that the Leopards camp has shaken off the injury plague         that ruled some of their players out of the first leg.
According to the website, only one player — Harry Nyirenda — was confirmed unavailable for the trip because of injury.
“The team that will be travelling to Zimbabwe is a 16-men squad that on paper is stronger than the one that played the first leg,” said Makhubela.
“Then we had injuries and had to patch       up and make a competitive team, but this time around we are sure to have a solid squad.
“We know that we have not scored a lot of goals in the PSL but that was mainly because we had to focus on the defence as it was shaky. Now the defence is solid and we are working on the striking department.
“We have prepared ourselves by training on an artificial pitch at Makaarela in Thohoyandou because on Sunday we will be playing on such a field.
“The players are motivated and are strong. We will do best for ourselves,” said Makhubela.
Although Black Leopards are struggling to make it in the South African Premiership, the visitors remain optimistic about their chances in the African Safari.
Lidoda Dhuva are currently bottom of the table but have shown signs of improvement in their recent games.
They drew 2-2 with Bloemfontein Celtics with Zimbabwean forward Kingstone Nkhata scoring one of the goals last week.
Nkhata missed the first leg against Motor Action and is expected to be part of the delegation coming for the return leg.
Leopards, just like Motor Action, have an equal chance of progressing since a 1-1 draw will force a penalty shootout while a stalemate by any other margin will see them through.
Motor Action are not sitting on their             laurels following the 1-1 draw in Polo- kwane.
Coach Joey Antipas said the Mighty Bulls have upped their preparations and are ready for the challenge.
The Bulls are set to welcome back              goalkeeper Marlon Jani and defender Godfrey Moyo from national team duty when they conduct their training session this afternoon.
Moyo scored the equaliser from the spot in the first leg to keep the Mighty Bulls hopes alive after they had conceded a second half goal.
“Everyone is fully fit and the guys are looking forward to the return leg.
“We just need to stay calm and keep hoping for the best.
“We have no injuries and we have to check on the condition of Marlon Jani and Godfrey Moyo who were with the national team,” said Antipas.