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Raymond Jaravaza Sports Correspondent
FORMER Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas won the battle of Zimbabwean coaches in his maiden South African National First Division (NFD) game when his side AmaZulu overcame Black Leopards 2-1.

Leopards are coached by Jairos Tapera, a former Zimbabwe Under-20 coach.

Their sides clashed at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

Antipas told the club’s website that despite the win, his team, which is eager for a return to the more lucrative Absa Premiership, still had a long way to go.

Usuthu, as AmaZulu are affectionately known, were relegated from the Premiership in the 2014/15 season.

“It’s always important to start well because if you win your opening game, the confidence creeps into the players, which is good. I’d say that we gave a good account of ourselves although it’s still early days. We have a lot of work to do,” said Antipas.

“I believe if we continue in the direction we are going, we could be a team that is difficult to beat. There’s a lot of hard work still to do in all areas. I’m happy with the result, but there’s still a lot of work to do because all the 16 teams are vying for the championship,” he said.

AmaZulu got the opener courtesy of veteran and former South African international striker Siyabonga Nomvethe and Lungelo Dlamini. Leopards pulled one back through Roggert Nyundu.