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Motor Action lost 1-0 to FC Platinum on Saturday at Mandava to add further misery to their camp as the side was still smarting from three successive defeats at the hands of Monomotapa.
Infact, Monomotapa had literally made Motor Action their punching bag after beating them twice in the league and then booting the Mighty Bulls out of the BancABC Sup8r Trophy in the quarter-finals.
During their home matches in 2010, the Motor Action brass band used to spur the team as the club marched on their most successful season, but for now the band, just like the players on the field, is singing the blues.
Motor Action are currently bottom of the 16-team league table and the neutrals are looking at “how the mighty have fallen”.
Yesterday, club director, Eric Rosen, said a cocktails of misfortunes had dogged the team, build off the ashes of the once flamboyant Blackpool in 2000.
Rosen, however, is still not giving up on the team he had moulded as a professional outfit by establishing their own stadium and a clubhouse.
“First we have to look back at the start of the season. I think we made a very bad start to the league in terms of our football.
“Our start was poor because we did not have the right players on board. Out of the nearly 500 players who came for trials in the pre-season, we settled for old names instead of good players,” said Rosen.
Rosen yesterday revealed that Motor Action have released nine players from their squad during the mid-season and manager Joey Antipas will be bringing in 10 new fresh pairs of legs to salvage their campaign.
Already Motor Action have parted ways with their most celebrated player Clement Matawu who is now at Chicken Inn.
Matawu was Zimbabwe’s best player in 2006 and has earned several caps for the Warriors before moving to the Polish league but on his return this season, the aging and injured midfielder has failed to scale the dizzy heights he set before he ventured into European football.
Louis Matawu has also left the club along with tall forward Dylan Chivandire, Tigere Mapuranga, goalkeeper Francis Nicho, Reuben Machaya, Charles Chiutsa, Lawrence Mtizwa and Charles Mutero.
“We have decided to let them go and in their place, some 10 new guys are coming in. The new guys are youngsters who will blend with the experienced guys that have remained,” said Rosen.
Rosen firmly hopes Motor Action will find their footing and reclaim their status as one of the top eight teams in the league although he is aware that lack of financial resources has been their major handicap.
“Our biggest challenge is financing the team. We are struggling to remain afloat. Once we get cash, I think we can be able to achieve a lot of things, including attracting quality players,” said Rosen.
Early in the season, Motor Action partnered Buy Zimbabwe, where companies in the campaign are invited to sponsor the club on flexible terms.
For now Rosen is looking forward to the new squad gelling quickly and save the sinking ship.
“If we look at the game against FC Platinum, I think we should have some hope. The youngsters played well and we deserved a draw but it seemed there is a plan that we should never win on away matches, especially in the southern half of the country,” said Rosen.
Motor Action players protested for more than 10 minutes after referee Nkosana Nduna ruled that Daniel Veremu’s header that had crashed against the bar had crossed the line.
“The game was heading for a draw and maybe the referee did not want such a result. But our players gave an excellent account of themselves,” said Rosen.
Motor Action host Tripple B in their next match at home on Saturday in which Rosen demands nothing short of three points.
“We have 13 games to save the situation and we have to make the best out of it. If we get maybe four successive wins, then we can be able to breathe.
“It’s tough for now but we have been in such situations before and we have to work hard,” said Rosen.
At the moment Motor Action have just 13 points and are 17 points behind leaders Harare City who are on 34 points.
Online Reporter