adminConfederation Cup after he was left with a depleted squad following the departure of some of his key men at the end of the season.
The Mighty Bulls were forced to register 19 players for the tournament on the initial deadline last week while their counterparts in the Caf tournaments Hwange, FC Platinum and Dynamos each had an average of 25.
Antipas yesterday conceded they were in a difficult situation but remained hopeful that they will be competitive.
“It’s difficult but we have to move on,” said Antipas.
“We will definitely miss the services of Allen (Gahadzikwa), Ocean (Mushure), Kuda (Musharu) and Tawanda (Nyamandwe).
“One positive thing, however, is that we managed to keep most of the players from the last season and added a few, which is how a team is built.”
The Mighty Bulls lost six players at the close of the season with midfield maestro Gahadzikwa and leftback Mushure the biggest setbacks.
Gahadzikwa, who had a brilliant season, which saw him being crowned second runner-up in the Soccer Star of the Year awards, packed his bags to join Moneybags FC Platinum in their quest for the Champions League while Mushure crossed the floor to Harare giants Dynamos.
Motor Action suffered a similar fate last season when their stars Charles Sibanda and Bhekimpilo Ncube ditched them for FC Platinum.
But it was worse this time as they also lost strikers Tawanda Nyamandwe, who joined CAPS United, and Kuda Musharu who reverted to being a Monomotapa player, following the expiry of his contract, and is linked to the Green Machine.
This has left them with Enasio Perezo as the only outright striker in their 19-member squad.
Bustling forward Edmore Chitato and Tawanda Ushe were also not on their squad while industrious midfielder Conrad Whitby only played for them for six month before deciding to move to CAPS United.
“We still have up to the 31st and we are still running around to get more players to fill in.
“Our biggest problem from last season was in attack and we have to do something about it but, as it appears, it’s almost like trying to find a needle in a haystack,” said Antipas.
He also revealed that they are searching for a leftback to replace Mushure.
The Mighty Bulls will start their campaign in the preliminary round away to South Africa’s Black Leopards over the weekend of February 17-19.
Motor Action managed to sign six new players with defenders Charles Mutero, Morris Kadzola, Dominic Mukandi and utility player James Chitereki joining them.
They also brought in Congolese winger Yves Ebabali and former Highlanders midfielder Misheck Mburayi.
Motor Action squad:
Goalkeepers: Marlon Jani, Francis Nicho, Ronald Mudimu
Defenders: John Bernard, Reuben Machaya, Themba Ndhlovu, Godfrey Moyo, Charles Mutero, Dominic Mukandi, Morris Kadzola, Jonathan Chitereki
Midfielders: Isaac Masame, Edward Tembo, Masimba Mambare, Thembani Masuku, Gift Phiri, Yves Ebabali, Misheck Mburayi
Strikers: Enasio Perezo.
Online Reporter