Gahadzikwa brace sends Motor Action through

MAN-of-the-match Allen Gahadzikwa’s brace was all that Motor Action needed to send Monomopata tumbling of the inaugural Mbada Diamonds Cup at Sakubva yesterday.
Interestingly, the Mighty Bulls got the better of Monomotapa when they recently booted them out of the BancABC Cup at the same venue with an identical 2-1 scoreline.
It was certainly a bitter pill to swallow for Monoz coach Taurai Magwiro who once again watched his charges succumb to third defeat in the season at the hands of the Mighty Bulls.
Although both teams showed some semblance of determination to progress to the next phase of the competition as they went on to try and open each other up, they failed make more than five uninterrupted passes.
The Mighty Bulls could have been the first on the score sheet after exciting Masimba Mambare sent a hard and low cross that landed on Kudakwashe Musharu’s feet but the later could not beat goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo from close range.
But Monomotapa were the first to get out of their blankets when former Eastern Lions striker Joseph “Jombana” Mutambiranwa was brought down in the 13th minute and the referee duly award Mangwiro’s team a free-kick just outside the box.
With breathtaking artistry, nimble footed Monomotapa midfielder Russel Madamombe fired home a blistering shot that might eventually pass for the goal of the tournament.
However, the Mighty Bulls refused to be outdone and their efforts were almost rewarded in the 26th minute when Mutare referee Lazarus Dirwai awarded them a penalty.
Up stepped Themba Ndlovu whose weak effort was parried out by the Monomotapa goalkeeper.
Motor Action then levelled terms in the 35th minute with a beautiful header by Gahadzikwa.
After the break, the match went back into a freezing mode until in the 80th minute when Gahadzikwa took advantage of a lapse in concentration in the Monomotapa defence and headed a beauty that gave Muchambo no chance. Motor Action coach Joey Antipas was naturally excited that his team is on another journey to success.