Motor Action 0 — Black Rhinos 2 Tripple B — Triangle 5
WINSTONE ANTONIO/Mukudzei CHINGWERE
Motor Action Football Club will not be playing top-flight football next season after being relegated from the Castle Larger Premier Soccer League after suffering 0-2 defeat at the hands of Black Rhinos at Motor Action Sports Club yesterday.
A goal in each half by Lot Chiwunga in the 24th minute and Brighton Mugoni, 75th minute, made sure the army side collect the much-needed maximum points as their fight for survival continued.
Black Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani was a relieved man describing the win as a morale booster in their quest to fight relegation.
“It was a well-deserved win for us collecting the much-needed maximum points as we try to move out of the relegation zone. I was not comfortable with this game from the start knowing the talent that Motor Action have in their camp, but we are relieved,” Tutani said.
Motor Action team manager David George accepted the defeat adding that they were not going to throw in the towel, but continue to fulfil their remaining fixtures. The visitors missed several chances and they could have opened the scoreline as early as 12 minutes from Jameson Mukombwe’s free-kick, but Bernard Donovan guarding the post for Motor Action, did well to push it for a corner.
Scola Hadebe could have made it one-all before the break, but he missed a glorious opportunity in the 45th minute from a Walter Musona cross.
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Meanwhile, Tripple B coach Peter Manoti who had been buoyant of his charges’ chances of surviving relegation has conceded that they have been relegated after they recorded the season’s worst defeat when they were hammered 5-0 by visiting Triangle at Dulibadzimu Stadium yesterday.
Triangle got their goals through veteran midfielder Courage Danius in the 13th minute with Walter Mukanga making it two up in the 29th minute. Forgotten striker Limited Chikafa also weighed in with another goal before the break, in the 41st minute.
After the breather, Triangle hit the target twice through Misheck Mburayi in the 47th minute while Pasca Manhanga completed the rout with the fifth goal in the 70th minute.
Tripple B had captain day Ephraim Mwinga sent for an early shower in 36th minute after he was booked for the second time for foul language towards the referee.
Speaking after the rout, Manoti conceded that his team was heading for the unfashionable world of Division One and blamed injuries as well as lack of depth in the team for the poor show.
“We came into this match missing five key players through injuries and others through suspension. Webster Chingodza, Gift Fireyi, Lloyd Chiwaridzo and Gilbert Chigwandaza were all injured while Oscar Chove was suspended for having accumulated three yellow cards,” Manoti said.
His counterpart Gishon Ntini praised his players for a scintillating performance.
“Scoring five goals away from home shows that we have a good team. We have achieved our initial goal of surviving relegation in our maiden year. What we are fighting for now is for the top-eight finish or even gate-crashing into the top four,” Ntini said.
