Champions Motor Action spurned a chance to put more pressure on log leaders FC Platinum in the race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title after losing 3-2 to Hwange at the Colliery on Sunday.
This was Motor Action’s only second defeat of the season dating back to their shock 1-0 loss to Shooting Stars in May and it ended a consistent run of three wins in three league matches, excluding the BancABC win over Dynamos.
Rahman Gumbo’s FC Platinum are on 39 points from 18 matches while with the defeat Motor Action remained on 37 points from 19 matches.
With FC Platinum taking on Highlanders at Barbourfields tomorrow, the Mighty Bulls could have at least temporarily moved to the apex of the log with a win over Hwange.
However Hwange, who held Motor Action to a goalless draw in the corresponding fixture at Motor Action Sports Club in June, had other ideas.
Any hope Motor Action had of causing an upset were over as a supercharged Hwange raced to a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes courtesy of goals by Gerald Ndlovu, Aaron Kaseke and Nkosana Siwela.
Joey Antipas’ charges had been stunned and despite a spirited second-half performance into which they pulled two goals back through substitute Enasio Perezo and Ocean Mushure it was a little too late.
Hwange also brought themselves in the reckoning for a top four finish with the crucial win.
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Fourth-placed Dynamos also had a chance to revive their fading championship aspirations had they won against Black Mambas, but were held to a one-all draw.
Warumwa Warumwa, as Mambas are affectionately referred to by their fans, moved closer to safety at 12th place on the log while DeMbare who are now on 30 are nine points adrift of FC Platinum.
Gunners, on the other hand, continued their impressive run since the return of Moses Chunga after a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Shooting Stars.
Since Chunga took over on July 14 Gunners are unbeaten in five matches with three wins and two draws. The impressive run has transformed them from strong relegation candidates to potential contenders for a top-four finish.
Ironically, Chunga’s former club Caps United continued to sing the blues as they suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat and fifth in six matches after going down 1-0 to Masvingo United.
Makepekepe enjoyed an impressive start to the season and were at one time tipped to be one of the teams with a strong chance of winning the title.
However, less than two months down the line they are now languishing in 11th position and just four points above the relegation zone.
Caps United might just find themselves fighting relegation if they don’t step up their game.
