Bulls trample Moneybags

PREMIERSHIP moneybags yesterday demoted caretaker coach Philani Mabhena following the defeat to defending champions Motor Action in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the Motor Action Sports Club.
FC Platinum president Nathan Shoko confirmed the new developments last night and said his assistant Patrick Mandizha will take over as acting head coach in a swapping of the roles.
Shoko said they will soon announce a substantive head coach with reports indicating that they are targeting former Highlanders championship winning coach Rahman Gumbo.
“Mabhena has reverted to being an assistant coach and Patrick Mandizha will take over in the interim. But we will soon make an announcement on the appointment of the substantive coach,” said Shoko.
Platinum are currently fourth on the table with 17 points while Motor Action maintained their pole position with 21 points from 10 games.
The Mighty Bulls yesterday came from behind to beat the flamboyant Premiership moneybags who had taken a first half lead in an entertaining duel at the Motor Action Sports Club. It was a sweet victory for the Mighty Bulls who had dropped four points in their last two matches following draws with Chicken Inn and Zimbabwe Saints.
They had suffered an early scare yesterday when FC Platinum, who are now winless in four matches, took charge of the game early in the first half and were rewarded for their industry when striker Aleck Marime found the opener in the 35th minute.
But Motor Action defender Themba Ndlovu cancelled out the lead just 10 minutes into the second half when he converted from the spot before striker Tawanda Nyamandwe nodded home the winner in the 71st minute.
Coach Joey Antipas was relieved after the match and heaped praise on his charges for their fighting spirit.
“It was a sweet win. I think we are moving in the right direction but we have another big game coming this weekend against Highlanders. So we just have to stay focused and keep the momentum,” said Antipas.
Motor Action had the first real chance of the game with a good build up from the midfield but striker Enasio Perezo blasted his effort over the bar in the 17th minute.
But FC Platinum who missed former Motor Action Star Bhekimpilo Ncube through injury enjoyed better possession in the midfield battles were Menard Mupera had a good day.
They were not so wasteful when exciting midfielder Mupera found Benjamin Marere on the right wing and the former DeMbare player swiftly flighted the ball into the box that was scrambled home by Marime for the opener.
The Mighty Bulls could have found the equaliser in the 43rd minute but Godfrey Moyo’s pile drive was denied by the crossbar with goalkeeper Muranganwa Nengomasha well beaten. Nengomasha was then forced to make two quick saves from the resultant corner kick and the visitors were relieved when midfielder Allen Gahadzikwa headed the final effort over the crossbar.
Just before the restart Mighty Bulls coach Antipas threw into the fray Kuda Musharu, who returned from a trial stint in South Africa early yesterday, and the results were instant as they took the game back to FC Platinum. They were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute when referee Nomore Musundire ruled that Gahadzikwa was fouled inside the box when he fell under challenge from the FC Platinum players. Ndlovu stepped up to beat goalkeeper Nengomasha from the spot in the 55th minute.
Striker Tawanda Nyamandwe doubled the lead in the 71st minute when he headed home from a corner kick taken by Masimba Mambare on the right flank.
Nyamandwe could count himself unlucky after he controlled the ball and lobbied over advancing goalkeeper but FC Platinum defender Daniel Veremu was quick to clear their lines in the 85th minute.
“It was an evenly balanced affair until we conceded that penalty. But there was nothing really wrong with our team. We just lost to a side that wanted it more,” said Mabhena.
Teams
Motor Action
M. Jani, T. Ndlovu, O. Mushure, G. Moyo, R. Machaya, M. Mambare, G. Phiri, T. Masuku, A. Gahadzikwa, E. Perezo (K. Musharu 46th minute), T. Nyamandwe
FC Platinum
M. Nengomasha, Z. Ngodzo, G. Dondo, D. Veremu, N. Togara, L. Zvasiya, M. Mupera, R. Sibanda (J. Ngodzo 69th minute), B. Marere, D. Ngoma (N. Maroto 69th minute), A. Marime (C. Sibanda 64th minute).