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Joey Antipas

Harare Bureau
Motor Action ……………………………….. 0
Triangle  ………………………………… (0) 2
MOTOR Action coach Joey Antipas has admitted that they now need a miracle to survive relegation as his team stretched their winless run to 10 successive games after falling to Triangle in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Motor Action Sports Club yesterday. The Mighty Bulls remained stuck at the bottom of the log with 14 points. They last won a league match on 18 May when they beat Shabanie 2-1.
Motor Action who were also hit by an exodus of seasoned players acquired young players from the Aces Youth Academy during the mid-season transfer window.

But it appears the project may take long to reap fruits and save the team from the chop.
The youthful players, who impressed everyone in the last league match against Dynamos yesterday put on a lifeless show and were barely recognisable as the side that had stretched the champions.

Actually it was Triangle who showed serious intention of avoiding the chop. With yesterday’s victory, Gishon Ntini’s men have now won five out of their last seven games.

Striker Misheck Mburayi, who was with Motor Action in the first half of the season, returned to haunt his former team with a 64th minute goal.

Mburayi was fed by Pasca Manhanga and made a mockery of the hosts defence. The visitors were not finished. Mburayi who had scored four goals for Motor Action before his departure earned a penalty when he was amateurishly pulled down in the box by Collen Kwaramba in the 89th minute.

Referee Pedzisai Chadya justifiably awarded the visitors a penalty. Triangle’s Tawanda Muyendi then converted the spot kick to end any hopes of a dramatic and late come back by the hosts.

After watching his team slump to another defeat, Antipas could only manage to say a “miracle, miracle” will save the team.
“We lost the plot on all the departments we didn’t play well.

We gave away two soft goals. Our previous games gave us a bit of hope but today the performance was down. It also has got a lot to do with experience. The young boys will only come good in time with experience. We still have 10 games to go. I would say we still have got a chance.

But we need to win games. These are the games which we should win at home. But we still have a chance,” said Antipas.
While he was happy with the victory, Ntini said it was time that Triangle should also start winning at home where they have a terrible record.

“We have been doing very well especially away from home. We need to put up our best and try to pick up maximum points at home. The guys were so much under pressure in the first half. It is always difficult to play the bottom team but in the second half we made amends.

We are on top of the situation. We are now doing well. The unfortunate thing is a lot of people out there are appreciating what we are doing. But the local people don’t. But it is not their fault.

“It is their first time after 40 years to have Premiership football and it is very difficult to please someone who doesn’t know something. It is just unfortunate and that is costing us. They don’t know how to support. We are not mincing our words. We don’’t care. We can work without anyone. We are not here to make friends but to work,” said Ntini.

The match became a bit lively in the second period with both teams showing they wanted to play some purposeful football.
Motor Action created very few chances with Wisdom Mutasa’s freekick nearly troubling the goalkeeper with its power.

TEAMS:
Motor Action: M. Jani, P. Benard, A. Kusemwa, D. Walaza, W. Mutasa (C. Sibanda 55th minute), Y. Ebabali, G. Moyo, W. Musona (S. Hadebe), C. Kwaramba, C. Dhuwa (T. Mukahlera 73rd minute).
Triangle: B. Chipula, P. Chinungwa, B. Chimwamuchere, W. Mapfumo, D. Sengu, W. Mukanga (T. Muyendi 68th  minute), C. Makoto, W. Gondo (T. Chipunza 67th minute), P. Manhanga, L. Nhamo (B. Maziwisa 90th minute), M. Mburayi.