An epic battle is lined up for Saturday when defending champions Motor Action host Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Motor Action Sports Club.
Motor Action dropped three crucial points against Hwange losing 3-2 at the Colliery on Sunday and would want to get their championship aspirations back on track by winning against the Bulawayo giants to pile pressure on log leaders FC Platinum.
In their last league game Highlanders did a double against city neighbours Zimbabwe Saints winning 2-0 at Barbourfields Stadium a week after they collected maximum points beating Hwange 1-0 at the Colliery.
Highlanders are on a fine run as they edged Shabanie Mine 1-0 in the BancABC Sup8r Cup semi-final played at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday to book a place in the final against the Mighty Bulls on September 10.
However, Mkhuphali Masuku’s troops go into battle fully aware of the danger posed by Motor Action. In the reverse fixture Motor Action prevailed 2-0 courtesy of goals from Masimba Mambare and Kudakwashe Musharu at Barbourfields. The Mighty Bulls are on second spot after collecting 37 points in 19 games while Bosso is six points behind with a game in hand.
Motor Action assistant coach Prince Matore was yesterday cautious saying they respected Highlanders.
“We have put the loss to Hwange behind us. We are now preparing for Highlanders. We lost the game against Hwange because of lapse of concentration not because we played badly. We want to work hard so that we collect maximum points against Highlanders,” he said.
However, Masuku said picking a full set of points would be a bonus for the club.
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“We started training yesterday (Tuesday) and we hope to pick a point, but getting three points would be a bonus for us,” said Masuku.
Masuku has at his disposal Rahman Kutsanzira who was named man-of-the-match in the BancABC semi-final, Eric Mudzingwa, Louis Matawu, Arnold Tshuma, Graham Ncube, Bruce Kangwa and Simon Munawa.
Bosso also have in their ranks captain Gilbert Banda who usually comes in with crucial goals, Bruce Tshuma, Lawson Nkomo, Innocent Mapuranga and veteran Gift Lunga. Vincent Nzombe would be expected to start hitting the back of the net upfront for Bosso while Ariel Sibanda keeps the goal.
In goals, Motor Action will look up to the safe pair of hands of veteran Marlon Jani.
Themba Ndlovu, Godfrey Moyo, Rueben Machaya and Ocean Mushure will be expected to be solid in defence and thwart any attacks from Bosso. Gift Phiri, Mambare, Musharu and Isaac Masame can spoil the day for Highlanders. Eddie Chitato, Allen Gahadzikwa, Conrad Whitby and Enasio Perezo might also be thrown into the fray.
