Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland…………..0
Highlanders…….. 0
FOUR games, zero goals scored, zero conceded!
Six games, no win, no defeat, just a number of draws.
Two visits to Rufaro for battles against Dynamos and champions Scottland and he still came out without a scratch.
Another visit to Shamva and still he avoided defeat.
Welcome to the world of Benjani Mwaruwari.
The script has remained unchanged for Highlanders but yesterday’s goalless draw against champions Scottland at Rufaro was so huge that the post-match celebrations by the supporters felt like it was a win.
“I think today’s game, the boys, they played so well. You know, coming to play with the champions, we all know Scotland. They are a very good team, with quality everywhere.
“To come away and get a point, I think today the point that we got, it’s a point gained. And one thing that I’m happy with my boys, is the consistency of not conceding.
“You know, we’ve gone like four games without conceding a goal.
“That’s consistency and you can see that we are building on from there” said Mwaruwari.
Both Highlanders and Scottland had good chances to win the game but the players took turns to miss.
Bosso’s best chance in the first half fell to Reason Sibanda who failed to do justice to a well calculated through ball from Mongameli Tshuma in the 39th minute.
The lanky midfielder sliced the ball between the Scottland defence and Sibanda dragged his effort wide when coming face-to-face with the goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
Then, action swung to the other end of goal, following a sweeping move from Scottland the midfield, with Terrence Dzvukamanja brilliantly setting up Walter Musona with only the keeper to beat. The Scottland skipper has scored many goals in those positions.
But somehow, he got too casual; probably misjudged the position of the goalkeeper and attempted a cheeky chip that turned out a horrible decision as badly exposed goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya easily collected the ball.
It was goalless at half time.
It was an injustice that the industry of Aboubakar Moffat, who worked overtime in the engine room and the ball artistry of Khama Billiat, were not rewarded.
“Football is a process. I’m happy with what we’re doing. Slowly but surely, as soon as this machine kicks well, I think it will cause problems for many teams,” said Mwaruwari.
It was not goibg to be easy, having two fellow national team legends ganging up against him, with Mapeza flanked by team manager Peter Ndlovu in the opposing dugout.
Scottland came into the match on the back of a brilliant run, having scored nine goals in their previous three outings. They recorded three goals in each game in identical 3-0 wins over Manica Diamonds and Hunters and the 3-2 victory at TelOne.
The reigning champions almost broke the deadlock late in the second half but Moffat’s blistering shot on the turn was denied by the foot of the upright, with 13 minutes remaining on the clock.
“It was a good game of football,” said Scottland coach Mapeza. “ We had moments where I think we did well. There were some moments in which I think Highlanders did well.”
Teams:
Scottland: Nelson Chadya, Moses Shidolo, Khwakhe Thwala, Kevin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Mthokozisi Msebe (Knowledge Musona, 75th min), Aboubakar Moffat, Emmanuel Ziocha (Panashe Mutimbanyoka, 60th min), Walter Musona, Khama Billiat (Tymon Machope, 81st min), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Kingsley Mureremba, 60th min)
Highlanders: Aaron Ngwenya, Nomore Chinyerere, Brian Mlotshwa, Mongameli Tshuma (Prince Ndlovu, 51st min), Reason Sibanda (Royn Nyamono, 86th min), Kuda Mahachi, Brighton Ncube (Benjamin Adeogan, 78th min), Andrew Mbeba, Rainsome Pavari, Never Rauzhi (Marvin Sibanda, 81st min), Darlington Mukuli (Shepherd Mhlanga, 51st min).
