Mighty Bulls lose steam

United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Gwanzura yesterday.
Goals from in-form forward Evans Gwekwerere and Pride Tafirenyika, either side of the break, ensured maximum points for the Green Machine and misery for the Mighty Bulls in the title race.

The victory was a welcome relief to CAPS United who bounced back into the top eight with 32 points to their credit in a recovery operation started by the return of Lloyd Chitembwe almost two months ago.
CAPS United surged ahead when Gwekwerere converted from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute after defender Godfrey Moyo had handled inside the box.
The CAPS United striker had made a good attempt that came off the hand of the defender and referee Sungano Makwangudze awarded the penalty.
Gwekwerere was then involved in the second goal when he spotted Tafirenyika on the left flank and released a pin point pass that the midfielder controlled well before beating Marlon Jani with a powerful shot in the 67th minute.

Assistant coach Joel Lupahla hailed his side’s performance and said the Green Machine, who moved one place up, are now aiming to finish in a “respectable position.”
“I think the boys played well. We just told the boys that they should play their own game without putting themselves under pressure and they did just that. They played according to plan.
“We want to finish the season in a good position. So we have to keep doing well because we want to play in the Super 8 tournament next year,” said Lupahla.

Motor Action were the log leaders going into the weekend’s games but following yesterday’s defeat, and wins for championship rivals FC Platinum and Dynamos, Joey Antipas’ men finally let go their hold on pole position after ruling the roost for several weeks.
Antipas conceded defeat but said the Mighty Bulls will not give up the fight yet. They had started on the offensive with Kuda Musharu, Tawanda Nyamandwe and Edmore Chitato on the hunt upfront but they could not create enough chances.
After a quiet spell in the opening minutes, Motor Action thought they had found the opener in the 12th minute when Nyamandwe headed in Chitato’s cross but the near-side assistant referee had his flag up for

offside, much to the displeasure of the Bulls’ faithful, who felt that most of the decisions went against them in the first half. But CAPS United had an organised defence with Asani Nhongo and Tapiwa Kumbuyani operating the wingbacks while David Sengu and Nyasha Mukumbi closed down raids from the middle.
Tawanda Munyanduri was also given a starting place and he did very well in the midfield holding position.

“We were beaten hands down by a better team. CAPS United were fired up and Evans was in good form,” said Antipas.
Despite their good form in knockout tournaments, the Mighty Bulls have been going through a lean spell in the league of late and have dropped nine points in their last four games following draws at FC Platinum,

Zimbabwe Saints and Chicken Inn.
“It happens in football but we have to move on. I still believe we can pick ourselves up because there are still six game to play,” said Antipas.

Teams
CAPS United
E. Sibanda, T. Kumbuyani, A Nhongo, D. Sengu, N. Mukumbi, T. Munyanduri, S. Alimenda, M. Samaneka (C. Chiutsa, 87th minute), P. Tafirenyika, W. Pakamisa, E. Gwekwerere (C. Kawinga, 90th minute)
Motor Action
M. Jani, P. Bernard, O. Mushure, G. Moyo, T. Ndlovu, R. Machaya, A. Gahadzikwa, C. Whitby, K. Musharu (M. Mambare, 66th minute), E. Chitato (E. Perezo, 59th minute), T. Nyamandwe (A. Murimba, 75th minute).