MOTOR ACTION skipper, Marlon Jani, has predicted a tough contest when the Mighty Bulls engage South Africa’s Black Leopards in the second leg of the Confederation Cup first round tie at Rufaro tomorrow.

Jani, who is one of the most experienced players in the side, yesterday said it was still game on after the Mighty Bulls forced a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture two weeks ago.

The veteran goalminder went as cover to Tapuwa Kapini and, despite watching the side slumping to a shock 2-1 defeat and the hostilities they had faced in Bujumbura, Jani remains upbeat. He insists Motor Action should go far in the second tier competition this year and believes the Mighty Bulls have the clout to reach great heights. But amid the confidence Jani, however, is not entirely blind to the challenge that lies between them and the next round qualifiers where winners from tomorrow’s clash will face St. Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo later this month.

Black Leopards, who arrived in Harare in yesterday afternoon, have been talking tough ahead of this encounter. And, if their words are anything to go by, then football fans should expect a tough contest.

“It’s not going to be an easy game,” said Jani. “We have to push harder to win this one because we drew the first game. “Obviously they will be coming here aiming for something because, as it stands, it is still game on.

“Leopards are a good side and they play as a team. But the good thing is we scored an away goal and came back home with a draw,” said Jani.

The Mighty Bulls have their full squad in good health and coach Joey Antipas is expected to field his strongest team tomorrow.

Jani said Motor Action were looking forward to an outright win to go through to the next round although a 0-0 draw could do the trick because of the away goals rule.

They are aware that they have to close down their opponents because once Leopards find the target the goal-shy Mighty Bulls could find themselves under pressure as they would need to win by scoring at least two goals to take the game.

The Mighty Bulls will look up to their strikers Ngoni Maviri and Ishamel Lawe while Tongai Magwendere, who had a bad game in the first leg, is another option.

The match will be handled by Swaziland referee Simanga Pritchard Nhleko who will be assisted by countrymen Petros Mbingo and Isaiah Mkhabela. The trio arrived yesterday.

Leopards are coming into this game against a background of a poor run in the Premiership back home in South Africa where they anchor the table, a few games into the second half of the season.

Despite their woes assistant coach Abel Makhabela remained confident they will find their way against the Mighty Bulls. They have Zimbabwean Kingstone Nkhata in their set up and the striker is likely to play a key role tomorrow.

Nkhata and Benedict Vilakazi, who are some of the Leopards’ best players, were surprisingly rested for the first leg and are set to take to the pitch tomorrow as Lidoda Duvha go all out in search of goals. The cheapest tickets have been pegged at US$2, US$4 for the upper Grand stand and US$10 for VIP.

Fixtures

Today: (Caf Champions League)FC Platinum v Green Mamba (Mandava)