Motor Action vow to beat Bosso on Sunday

Motor Action coach Joey Antipas is relying on history to finally hand Highlanders their first loss of the season when the two teams clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Of late, many Premiership teams have vowed to stop Highlanders’ superb unbeaten run, but the Kelvin Kaindu-coached side has been unrelenting, although they have dropped 14 points from seven draws-a situation that must now be worrying their faithfuls.

Antipas said he was eyeing a repeat of last year’s result as Motor Action were the first to beat Highlanders at home in May 2011. Highlanders’ attacking midfielder, then with Motor Action, Masimba Mambare broke the hearts of Bosso fans, scoring in the match and Kudakwashe Musharu was also on target.

“We are hoping to repeat last year’s feat as we were the first team to beat Highlanders at home. Highlanders is an awesome team, but anything can happen on that day. We will give them a good run for their money.

“Highlanders are favourites to win at Barbourfields, but they have to up their game if they are to collect maximum points. They are championship contenders so we are motivated to face them,” he said. Mambare has been outstanding for Highlanders alongside his former teammates at Motor Action Milton Ncube and Bhekimpilo Ncube.

Motor Action went on to win 1-0 in Harare before beating Highlanders 1-0 in the final of the BancABC Cup which was played at Barbourfields Stadium in September. The two sides played a goalless draw in the first encounter in Harare in a match where referee Langton Chitsa saved the Bulls from defeat.

In that match — in the 79th minute — star player Milton Ncube threaded a neat pass to second half substitute Beavan Chikaka, but before the later could take a crack at goal inside the box, Motor Action defender Morris Kadzola pulled him down. The referee waved played on.

Highlanders are top of the log table with 43 points from 19 games and took their unbeaten record to 19 games despite playing a goalless draw with Harare City in Harare on Saturday. Motor Action are on position eight with 28 points from 19 games. Kaindu yesterday said they were geared for the match.

“The preparations are going on very well. Motor Action has been playing very well and collected maximum points in their last three games. We respect them because we played a very good game against them in Harare. It is difficult to say if we will continue with our unbeaten record, but we pray that God will be with us,” he said.

“It is an important game for us and we just have to be positive because we will be playing at home.”

Young Ozias Zibande, who missed the match against Harare City after picking up an injury during a training session last week, has started training, while Lawson Nkomo is also back at training.

Highlanders face defining moments over the next six weeks with three matches at Barbourfields against Motor Action, Chicken Inn and Shabanie, two trips to Hwange and Monomotapa before they return to BF to face Black Mambas.

Defending champions Dynamos, on the other hand, will be away twice against Chicken Inn and Shabanie Mine, while FC Platinum (yesterday), Gunners, Harare City and Motor Action matches will all be played at Rufaro. NewsDay