HARARE - MOTOR Action have vowed to successfully defend the league title after crashing out of the African Champions League following a 4-2 defeat to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast who held their nerve to win the penalty shoot out in Harare at the weekend.
“It was a heart break to be knocked out of the competition,” said coach Joey Antipas. “We had home advantage but some how we failed to keep our nerves and lost in the penalties. It’s all part of football but now we are ready to defend the league title. We have met with the players and they have since forgotten about the disappointment of being knocked out in this competition. The team is now ready to defend the title,” said Antipas.
The Ivorians were already at a disadvantage before kick-off after the Confederation of African Football scrapped the second leg in Abidjan due to political turmoil there, in the process granting Motor Action home advantage in this decider.
But try as they did, Antipas’ men failed to breach the visitors’ rearguard and eventually paid the penalty.
The visitors’ Kovakov Ndova, Patrick Ireene, Seri Jean Michael and Okov Zhavi all found their mark in the shoot-out. In reply, Motor Action’s Godfrey Moyo and Themba Ndlovu converted their spot kicks while Edward Tembo and Masimba Mambare missed.
“We dedicate this victory to our supporters because the situation in Ivory Coast is very difficult. I have a young team and more work is required to develop their potential,” said France-born Mimosas coach Sebastian Desabre.
Post published in: Football