Highlanders 0-1 Motor Action
AN early strike by inform Motor Action midfielder Allen Gahadzikwa helped the Mighty Bulls edge a battling Highlanders to lift the BancABC Super8r cup at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.
Gahadzikwa, who has been the driving force behind Motor Action's successful league run where Joey Antipas’ charges are joint leaders with FC Platinum on 42 points scored after just 10 minutes to deny the home side.
Highlanders were keen make up for their back-to-back loses against the Harare side in league clashes this season but the early strike by Gahadzikwa unsettled them, wrecking coach Mkuphali Masuku’s plans for some home delights.
Motor Action -- who went into the match missing key players Kuda Musharu, Tawanda Nyamandwe and Isaac Masame due to suspensions -- pocketed a cool US$50 000 for their efforts.
Bulls assistant coach David George said Highlanders proved worthy opponents but felt his charges deserved their early ‘Christmas present’.
"We are all happy to lift this cup. It's an early Christmas present for us. It was a difficult match and Highlanders played well but we took our chance and won the match,” George said.
“This victory will boost the confidence of the players as we focus on the league title.”
None of the two teams had won the BancABCSuper8r cup since its inception.
Dynamos won last year's edition but were booted out by Motor Action this time round after losing a dramatic penalty shoot 6-7 in the semi-finals.