adminenabled them to consolidate their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table.
It was a remarkable victory for the Mighty Bulls who neutralised the pressure coming from Highlanders and now look set to fight to the bitter end in defence of their title.
Motor Action handed the Bulawayo giants their first defeat this season at Barbourfields where they also conceded for the first time this year.
Highlanders’ five games played at Barbourfields had yielded positive returns with three wins and two draws to show in a good start this season, which had seen them coming to within a point of Motor Action going into the weekend games.
But they even missed a penalty, when their top goal-scorer Njabulo Ncube, who has banged five goals this season, failed to beat impressive goalkeeper Marlon Jani from the penalty spot before goals from Masimba Mambare and lively forward Kuda Musharu sealed victory for the visitors.
Musharu, whom many believe deserves a call into the Warriors, has been one of the standout performers in the Premiership this season, troubling defenders with his pace and skills. It now appears Motor Action are showing their true colours and are now the more dominant side in a season that has also been punctuated by spells of mediocrity affecting all teams.
“I think that was our best performance this season because we were on top of the situation the whole afternoon although Highlanders gave us some shaky moments in the first 15 minutes after the half time.
“But our boys were fired up and they were really hungry for the win. It was a brilliant performance. We work as a unit and we should probably aim to continue improving personal performances,” said Antipas.
The Mighty Bulls created breathing space at the top as they are now four points clear of the chasing pack, now leading with 24 while Highlanders are in third place on 20 with a few games remaining before the end of the first half of the league programme.
Although Antipas continuously plays down Motor Action’s charge in this year’s championship race, the Mighty Bulls appear to have placed themselves in a commanding position after collecting maximum points against all their rivals.
They have beaten Dynamos and CAPS United with identical 2-0 victories and they showed class in dismissing Premiership moneybags FC Platinum 2-1 at Motor Action Sports Club last week.
“It’s too early to talk about the championship because there are still many games to be played. We cannot rule out Highlanders at this stage. FC Platinum have also been doing well and Dynamos and CAPS are still in it. Competition is tight this year and I think we should be talking about the league in the last games,” said Antipas.
CAPS United and Dynamos got a reprieve when they fought odds to record victories and ease pressure on the coaches over the weekend. Makepekepe, who were rocked by crowd trouble last week following a string of poor results, posted a comprehensive 5-1 win over Kiglon at Rufaro on Saturday.
It was refreshing for both coach Moses Chunga and double-scorer Simba Sithole who ended a seven-week barren spell. Sithole, who now has seven league goals to his credit, had last scored for CAPS United in the 4-0 destruction of Shabanie Mine at Rufaro on April 9.
Midfielder Pride Tafirenyika and Marvel Samaneka scored the other goals while Kiglon defender and former CAPS United player Danger Fourpence beat his own goal‘keeper with an own goal.
But while the distrustful Makepekepe fans appeared a little mollified, the situation is even tricky at rivals Dynamos where coach Lloyd Mutasa has been under the spotlight for sometime.
DeMbare needed a penalty, which looked suspicious, to end a three-match barren run as Devon Chafa converted from the spot to ease past a hapless Shooting Stars side that has been struggling to move away from the bottom of the table. The Harare giants have been struggling in front of goal and on Sunday did little to show the difference between them and Partson Ndabambi’s basement side.
The DeMbare fans, some of whom gestured goodbye to the coach, barely celebrated the goal and even questioned some of his decisions like the 75th minute of Roderick Mutuma. It was apparent that Dynamos have no material to give them the competitive edge up-front as their strikers continued to fire blanks in the few chances they created. Dynamos moved into seventh place with 16 points and Mutasa still sounded upbeat.
“We are playing okay but at times the youngsters lack precision in front of goal and we are working on that. We are playing a catch up game with the leading teams and we are really looking forward to our next match against Black Mambas,” said Mutasa.
Results at glance
Yesterday
Gunners 0, Shabanie Mine 0
Sunday
FC Platinum 1, Zimbabwe Saints 0; Highlanders 0, Motor Action 2; Masvingo 3, Blue Ribbon 0; Dynamos 1, Shooting Stars 0; Hwange 2, Chicken Inn 0
Saturday
Kiglon 1, CAPS United 5; Monomotapa 3, Black Mambas 0;
Team PWDLFAPts
Motor Action 1173115324
FC Platinum 11623181020
Highlanders 1162313720
Chicken Inn1153314818
Masvingo 11533161418
CAPS Utd11 524231517
Dynamos 114439516
Hwange1144311816
Monoz 11362121115
Zim Saints 11434121315
Blue Ribbon 11425111214
Kiglon 11344101413
Black Mambas 1131781910
Shabanie 1124561810
Gunners111558128
Shooting Stars112098216
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