adminsoccer encounter yesterday.
Marlvern Nyakabangwe broke his goal duck in the red and white Hardbody stripes in the 11th minute when he fired the ball home from close range after Motor Action goalminder Ronald Mudimu had punched the ball back into play presenting him with a golden opportunity of opening the scoring for his side.
Piniel Manhope added his name on the scoresheet in the 36th minute to settle matters for the Gweru-based outfit.
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 on view Nhlanhla Ncube and defender Cornilius Simango had to be rushed to hospital after picking serious injuries in separate incidences.
In an 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 rear-guard, turned Reuben Machaya inside out before sending in a cross which found no takers.
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 through Ngonidzashe Maviri whose header missed the upright by inches off a Gift Phiri’s cross.
After that Eric Rosen’s side went back to their slumber allowing Hardbody to take the game to them.
Ncube was still a menace to their 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 bite his tongue and an ambulance was quickly summoned him 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.”
Joey Antipas, the Mighty Bulls, mentor conceded defeat and gave credit to Hardbody for taking their chances.
“We were not in the game today and it sometimes happen in football. Credit should go to Hardbody for they managed to utilise their chances.
Teams
Hardbody: A Rayners, C Simango (D Mwanza 87th minute), B Juru, A Chuma, M Nyakabangwe (Juru 80th minute), J Muzokomba, N Ncube (C Maheya 73rd minute), R Useni, H Gravel, P Manhope, C Nyoni
Motor Action: R Mudimu, J Bernard, B Chimwamuchere, G Phiri, J Jam, P Kabwe, M Kadzola, R Machaya, N Maroto, N Maviri (M Mburayi 68th minute), E Tembo (M Ncube 53rd minute).
Online Reporter