Motor Action 2-0 Hwange

MOTOR Action extended their lead at the top of the premiership table to ten points after dismissing visiting Hwange 2-0 in Harare on Saturday.

The premiership pacesetters whose head coach, Joey Antipas was away with the national side in Liberia felt so confident going into the game that they rested a number of key players.

Goalkeeper Marlon Jani and defenders Edward Tembo and Norman Njelele watched the game from the terraces of Motor Action Sports Club while captain, Salimu Milanzi started on the bench.

Eric Rosen’s side effectively wrapped up the tie in first half through in-form midfielder William Kupera in the 30th minute and forward Charles Sibanda seven minutes later.

Before Kupera struck, the home side had Allan Gahadzikwa’s 24th minute penalty saved by Hwange goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda after Andrew Chuma had handled in the box.

Kupera then opened the scoring with a well-struck volley from outside the box after Hwange defender David Boriwondo failed to deal with Milton Ncube’s cross from the left.

The Bulls took control of the game after the opening goal and their efforts were rewarded a few minutes later.

Masimba Mambare and Kupera exchanged passes on the right flank before the latter flighted a harmless-looking cross into the box.

With the Hwange defenders Boriwondo, Gerald Ndlovu and Tony Sibelo momentarily forgetting their responsibilities Bulls striker Sibanda, who was lurking in the box, found he had time to control the ball and turn to his favourite left foot before letting rip past an the exposed Chipangano goalkeeper.

With the three points nearly in the bag, the Bulls simply shut-up shop in the second half and managed to contain Hwange’s efforts to get back in the game by scoring a goal.

Motor Action assistant coach David George was full of praise for his lads after the game.

“It was a good thing that we took a healthy lead in the first half and in the second half my players reduced the tempo thinking they had already won the game.

“It’s normal in a game of football to have two completely different halves. At the moment we are not thinking about the league, but just taking each game as it comes," George said.

Hwange coach Tenant Chilumba said the long journey to Harare had left his players in no state to fully apply themselves to the game.

Weekend Results:

Kiglon 0-0 Lengthens, FC Victoria 0-1 Caps United, Bantu Rovers 0-0 Monomotapa, Eagles 0-0 Shooting Stars