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CHAMPIONS Motor Action sprung back to their winning ways when they beat 10-man Shabanie Mine in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Motor Action Sports Club yesterday.
A rare goal from defender Themba Ndlovu put the Mighty Bulls ahead from the spot seven minutes into the game before bulky forward Edmore Chitato doubled the lead in the 47th minute, as Shabanie, who finished one man short following the expulsion of Tarisai Rukanda in the 70th minute, were punished for their sloppy defending.
Second half substitute Enasio Perezo sealed the game for the Mighty Bulls with four minutes remaining when he slid the ball past the visitors’ goalkeeper Victor Twaliki from close range to cap a good move started by Gift Phiri.
Motor Action coach Joey Antipas was a relieved man after watching his side collecting maximum points with an improved performance compared to their sorry showing in last week’s 1-0 defeat to Shooting Stars.
“I think we deserved the win and although we had a bit of a jittery performance in the first half, I am happy we managed to raise our game in the second and we created numerous chances that could have easily turned into goals.
“It’s good that we have bounced back after losing to Shooting Stars in our last game. We played with a greater passion today (yesterday) and the attitude was good,” said Antipas.
The Mighty Bulls are now third on the log table with 10 points from five games while Shabanie Mine are grounded on zero after crashing to their fourth defeat on the trot.
Shabanie’s new coach Arnold Jani said his strikeforce, which is yet to score a goal in 360 minutes of play this season, has been the team’s major let down.
The asbestos miners had their fair of chances yesterday but paid the big price for their sloppiness and inaccuracy in front of goal.
“We played good football but the only thing that is letting us down is that we are not taking our chances. We had opportunities in this game but we didn’t utilise them.
“In fact we haven’t scored a goal this season but we have been conceding more. It’s worrisome because the only way to win a match is by scoring goals,” said Jani.
Shabanie Mine found themselves on the backfoot early in the game when referee Norman Matemera pointed to the spot after their central defender Bonface Dimanji was adjudged to have handled in the box.
Ndlovu stepped up for the responsibility with a well-taken shot from the spot, to put the Mighty Bulls in control. But Shabanie Mine showed some resilience as they took the game back to Motor Action thereafter with some good moves revolving around their midfielder Rowan Nenzou. They came closer in the 10th minute but striker Caleb Masocha, who was guilty of missing a number of chances, had his header from a corner kick cleared from the line by Reuben Machaya in a crowded box.
Masocha could have done better three minutes later when he bulldozed his way past the Mighty Bulls defenders but shot weakly into the hands of goalkeeper Marlon Jani.
Motor Action came from the breather stronger and were 2-0 up in the 47th minute when Chitato connected with his boot after the Shabanie Mine defenders were caught flat-footed from a corner kick by Ocean Mushure.
Perezo who came in as replacement for Agrippa Murimba then wrapped up the game when he slotted home a pass from Phiri in the 86th minute.
Teams:
Motor Action
M. Jani, R. Machaya, O. Mushure, T. Ndlovu, G. Moyo, I. Masame, E. Tembo, K. Musharu, A. Gahadzikwa (G. Phiri 83rd minute), A. Chitato (T. Nyamandwe 87th minute), A. Murimba (E. Perezo 66th minute)
Shabanie Mine
V. Twaliki, S. Shoko, D. Mutsveru (J. Chitereki 60th minute), B. Dimanji, M. Mageja, P. Marima, C. Masocha (T. Muyendi 83rd minute), T. Mombeshora, R. Nenzou, T. Rukanda, A. Nyoni (J. Chisunga 60th minute).