Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
EMBATTLED Scottland coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, has been tinkering with his starting team on each of his Castle Lager Premier Soccer League assignments, as he seeks to establish a viable system for the stuttering top-flight newboys.
Ndiraya benched star players Khama Billiat and Walter Musona when Scottland laboured to a goalless draw against ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga last weekend.
Billiat and Musona were among the six changes that Ndiraya made as he sought to galvanise the Premiership big spenders.
The reigning Coach of the Year also rested Kingsley Mureremba, Gareth Madhake, Mthokozisi Msebe, and Ghanaian Fredrick Botchway, who had started in the 1-1 draw against FC Platinum at Rufaro on Match-Day Seven.
Scottland have now gone three matches without registering a win as they prepare to face a tricky opponent in Herentals, who finally remembered how to win last weekend.
The Students edged GreenFuel 1-0 at Rufaro last Friday with skipper Tinotenda Benza opening his season’s account. That victory arrested a five-game winless streak for Paul Benza’s side, who are now on nine points, five behind Scottland.
Speculation has been rife over Ndiraya’s Scottland future, but the championship-winning gaffer has been as calm as ever.
He believes his charges will soon start firing from all cylinders.
“For us to go to Kariba and collect a point was a plus on our side because, if you ask me, the conditions there, the weather conditions there, are not fair.
“So, I am happy the players did their best, they fought hard and got a point,” said Ndiraya.
“We needed to refresh the team and give some guys a run.
“We had Emmanuel Saidi (in the starting line-up against ZPC Kariba), I think he is a very young player.”
Some of the new faces in the starting line-up against ZPC Kariba included speedy forward Michael Tapera, while veteran right back Godknows Murwira returned to the side.
Ndiraya had said in earlier interviews that it would take his expensively assembled side to start clicking after Match-Day 10.
“We have a group of stars who are yet to click,” he said.
“We knew we would struggle in the first seven games or so because the players would need time to gel and understand each other.”
Interestingly, when Ndiraya won his maiden league title with Simba Bhora last season, his charges hit top gear towards the mid-season.
“There is no reason to press the panic button,” said Ndiraya.
However, there is a section of Scottland supporters who feel Ndiraya’s charges have punched below their weight, given the massive investment by club owner, Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya.
With 13 points from a possible 24, Scottland have a 54 percent success rate.
For all the glitz and glamour that has surrounded Scottland, the reality is that they have only one win to show for their efforts in their last five assignments.
