Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
The high-stakes investment in star players by Scottland appears to have stirred up discontent among a section of their supporters, who are finding it difficult to swallow the team’s lacklustre start to this season.
Following a 1-1 draw against Yadah at Rufaro Stadium yesterday, the team’s hot-and-cold performances reached a tipping point, with some fans voicing their frustration and calling for the sacking of coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
It seems the fans’ patience has reached its limit after being left unimpressed by Scottland’s inconsistent performances.
The team’s inability to string together a series of victories, despite assembling a top-class squad through significant investment, has been a thorn in the supporters’ side, and the draw yesterday appeared to be the final straw for them.
The expectation of success, set by the significant financial outlay, has not been met, leaving fans feeling frustrated and disillusioned.
For all their pre-season troubles, Yadah Stars turned on easily their best Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) shift to date with a show that won them the admiration of many neutrals who watched them hold the fancied Scottland.
In dropping two valuable points, Scottland failed to take advantage and depose Ngezi Platinum Stars after the Mhondoro-Ngezi miners’ unbeaten run was stopped by determined TelOne at Ascot Stadium in Gweru.
TelOne handed Ngezi their first defeat via a 2-1 win that has left former champions FC Platinum and debutants MWOS as the only two sides still to lose a game since the start of the season.
FC Platinum were held 0-0 by GreenFuel at Mandava Stadium, while MWOS are only in action today when they visit Herentals at Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva.
Wadzanayi was the venue where champions Simba Bhora finally woke from their slumber to hammer Manica Diamonds 4-1 yesterday.
In the match at Rufaro, and with better precision from skipper Evans Rusike and Jerry Chipangura, Yadah could have stolen a famous win against Scottland.
The PSL’s poster boy, Khama Billiat, scored his first goal of the season, but Yadah found a way back to equalise through Francis Mustafa.
It was 1-1 at half-time and that is how it ended and it left Scottland on 11 points out of a possible 18.
Scottland are now two points behind log leaders Ngezi, but MWOS could shoot back to the summit with a win over Herentals this afternoon.
Ndiraya, obviously feeling ruffled by the supporters’ protest, insisted it is still early days and claimed he was still building the team, which he expected to start firing soon.
“We would have really wanted three points, but a point is good for us,” he said.
“Out of a possible 18 points, we are on 11. For me, I think it’s a good start.”
The championship-winning coach is asking for patience, as there are still 28 rounds to go before the conclusion of the season.
“We have a long way to go. We’ve only played six games, so there’s really nothing much to talk about,” he said.
“I think between now and probably Match Day 17, there’s going to be a lot of changes in the top-half of the log.”
The former Simba Bhora coach acknowledges he has quality players, but feels he needs time to build an efficient machine.
Yadah coach Ikabort Masocha was happy with the point, which came on the back of a 0-1 defeat at GreenFuel in their last outing.
“It’s a welcome development in our team, considering that we are coming from a defeat in Chisumbanje where we lost against GreenFuel,” he said.
“So, we needed to find a way of trying to add a little bit of points on our tally so that at least we move away from the relegation zone.’’
TelOne stun Ngezi
In Gweru, TelOne saw off some late Ngezi pressure with a solid defensive display to remain unbeaten at home where they have won three out of three so far.
The home side got their goals from Tawanda Macheke in the fourth minute before PSL leading scorer Washington Navaya grabbed the winner and his fifth of the season.
Malvin Gaki had drawn Ngezi level moments after the break before Navaya sealed it for TelOne.
“We saw them play against CAPS United and we knew how good they are, but we managed to neutralise them,” TelOne coach Hebert Maruwa said.
Ngezi coach Takesure Chiragwi said although his side lost, he took some courage from their performance.
“We did not come here to lose, but it is a game of football which has competition.
“I am not happy that we lost, but we controlled the game and that gives us hope that we can win that next match,” he said.
“I think we did everything we could, but it was not our day. Like I always say, there are matches where you put 100 percent effort, but they are difficult to win, today was such a match.”
Results:
Simba Bhora 4-1 Manica Diamonds
TelOne 2-1 Ngezi Platinum Stars
Yadah Stars 1-1 Scottland
FC Platinum 0-0 GreenFuel
Bikita Minerals 2-1 Triangle United
