admindeserved victory over Zimbabwe Saints in the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup at Sakubva.
Striker Tawanda Ushe’s first half free-kick and another strike from right back Passmore Bernard in the 71st minute earned them a berth in the final against Dynamos on November 27.
The Mighty Bulls who have already bagged the BancABC Sup8r Cup are now preparing for their second final in a campaign that has, of late, been characterised by flagging fortunes in defence of their league title.
“It’s a good feeling that we are going into another final,” said Antipas.
“All credit goes to the boys for their great fighting performances.
“We had a good game on Sunday and I think they deserve it following the slump in form we suffered recently,” Anitpas said.
Before the Saints game on Sunday, Motor Action got this far in the tournament courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Monomotapa in the first round and the 1-0 win over Blue Ribbon in the quarter-finals in Kwekwe two weeks ago. Antipas said he was impressed by the team’s collective effort as they managed to contain the threat posed by Saints through teamwork.
The Mighty Bulls dominated the first half but had to fight with their backs to the wall in the second as Saints came back stronger and threatened to turn the game on its head through some fine aggressive attacking football.
With Motor Action leading 1-0 at half time, Saints coach Ephraim Chawanda instructed his boys to press for goals with Evans Rusike, Abraham Mbaiwa and Chipo Tsodzo who started off in defence switching positions to add punch to the strike force.
They were nearly rewarded twice but Bernard cleared Dumisani Ndlovu’s header from the line before midfielder Mlamuli Phakathi almost caught goalkeeper Marlon Jani off guard with a long-range effort that went over the crossbar soon after the restart.
Saints had a great opportunity to reduce the arrears in the 85th minute after Zambian referee Wilson Mphamisi awarded a penalty but captain Mbaiwa crashed his effort from the spot against the crossbar.
The Mighty Bulls however had already inflicted the damage.
Antipas’ decision to gamble with Ushe at the expense of seasoned striker Edmore Chitato bore fruit as the underrated forward repaid the manager’s faith when he gave the league champions the lead they needed, before paving way for Enasio Perezo in the 86th minute.
“When looking for a winning formula it’s always good to look at other players and giving them chance to play. Ushe did well and if he continues like that he might get even more game time.
“But I also think Saints played well. They battled so hard and with that kind of performance I think they should not be fighting relegation, but it happens with football” said Antipas.
With the finals still three weeks away, Motor Action are now focusing on tomorrow’s game against Dynamos at Rufaro.
The Mighty Bulls reckon that they no longer have a big shout in the destiny of the league championship but they are not throwing in the towel yet despite going for seven winless matches in their last assignments.
They have lost much ground on 45 points, seven behind leaders FC Platinum, but Antipas however hopes to transform their cup form to the league campaign in the remaining three games.
“I want to implore the players to keep working hard and finish the season strongly. Of course our chances of winning the title are now very slim because FC Platinum and Dynamos are calling the shots at this stage.
“But we just want to make sure that we play our part well in the remaining games because you never know what happens in football. We just want to finish strongly,” said Antipas.
They face Dynamos tomorrow at Rufaro while Zimbabwe Saints who anchor the table host fellow relegation fighters Black Mambas at White City.
Title contenders FC Platinum will be in Harare for a date against Monomotapa at Gwanzura.
Former Highlanders and Warriors striker Adam Ndlovu will lead Chicken Inn into battle against Gunners at Lafarge in his first official game as head coach after replacing Philani “Beefy” Ncube.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow;
Zimbabwe Saints v Black Mambas (White City), Blue Ribbon v Shooting Stars (Motor Action Sports Club), Shabanie Mine v CAPS United (Maglas), Gunners v Chicken Inn (Lafarge), Dynamos v Motor Action (Rufaro), Monomotapa v FC Platinum (Gwanzura), Masvingo v Highlanders (Mucheke), Hwange v Kiglon (Colliery).
Online Reporter