adminMarlvern Nyakabangwe broke his goal duck in the red and white Hardbody strip in the 11th minute when he fired from close range after Motor Action goalie Ronald Mudimu had punched the ball back into play before Piniel Manhope added his name on the score sheet to settle matters for the Gweru based outfit in the 36th minute.
The win also kept Watosvorwa’s hopes of surviving relegation alive as they lie fourth from bottom with 22 points, three behind police outfit Black Mambas who entertain Hwange at Morris Depot on Wednesday.
Hardbody’s celebrations were dampened when their best player Nhlanhla Ncube and defender Cornelius Simango had to be rushed to hospital after picking serious injuries in separate incidents.
During the afternoon the Mighty Bulls rarely threatened the Hardbody goal, the hosts showed their intentions clear as early as the sixth minute when Ncube who was a thorn in the flesh for the Motor Action rearguard turned Reuben Machaya inside out before sending in a cross which found no takers.
The slippery midfielder’s cross in the 11th minute resulted in a goal when he delivered to an alert Clifford Nyoni who connected first time but his effort was punched back into the field of play by Mudimu.
Nyakabangwe who was lurking in the box made no mistake as he fired from close range to give his side the lead.
With the Gunners disappointment in the minds of Hardbody faithfuls still fresh when they conceded a late goal to share the spoils with Chando Kupisa last weekend, the T and H sponsored side got the insurance goal through Piniel Manhope when a jittery Mudimu spilled the ball in his path after Roy Useni flighted a fine cross which the Mighty Bulls goalie failed to handle and Manhope quickly pounced tucking the ball into an empty net. Motor Action came back in the second half a purposeful side and dominated proceedings in the first 10 minutes and were unlucky not to have scored Ngonidzashe Maviri’s header missed the upright by inches from a Gift Phiri cross.
After that the Eric Rosen side went back to their slumber allowing Hardbody to take the game to them. Ncube was menacing to his opponents’ defence until the 73rd minute when he was pulled out for Callisto Maheya after sustaining a sheen injury and had to be rushed to hospital. Simango was soon to follow him 14 minutes later when he was elbowed by Merciful Ncube on the cheek in an aerial tussle and in the process bit his tongue and an ambulance was quickly summoned to ferry him to hospital. An elated Hardbody assistant coach, Conrad Nyambabvu showered praises at his charges for rising to the occasion.
“Today we attacked from the first whistle and we never gave Motor Action the room to play. I give credit to all of the boys for giving their all and hopefully it will motivate them in our next match against Chicken Inn,” said Watosvorwa assistant coach.
Joey Antipas, the Mighty Bulls mentor conceded defeat and gave credit to Hardbody for taking their chances.
Online Reporter