Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
FRIENDS of the Warriors have thrown their weight behind Scottland following the club’s victory over Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs in the CAF Champions League, with the supporters’ group now mobilising fans for the decisive return leg away from home.
Scottland made a winning start to their maiden CAF Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Nsingizini at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday, taking a narrow advantage into the second leg.
Second-half substitute Tengeng Neville emerged as the hero for the Zimbabwean champions, scoring the winner in the 67th minute after the visitors had spent most of the match a man down.
Nsingizini were reduced to 10 men as early as the fifth minute following a reckless challenge on Shidolo, but Scottland had to remain patient before finally capitalising on their numerical advantage.
Friends of the Warriors said the victory was significant not only for Scottland but also for Zimbabwean football, with the club carrying the nation’s hopes in continental competition.
“We are happy that our representatives in the CAF club championships managed to overcome the Eswatini giants. We are saying to the guys, well done.
We are with you and we urge you to keep raising the Zimbabwean flag high in this African showcase. We are behind you and we want to see you go as far as possible in this competition,” said organising secretary Rinos Rambi.
The group said its focus had already shifted to the return leg in Eswatini, where Scottland will seek to protect their slender advantage and secure progression to the next round.
“We are organising ourselves to travel to Eswatini for the return leg. The team needs our support and, as football supporters, we want to stand with them throughout this journey,” said Rambi.
The supporters also praised the Government for efforts that have seen international football return to the National Sports Stadium following refurbishment works.
“We would like to thank the Government for the effort it has made to bring our national football back home. We would also like to thank all football-loving fans who came in their numbers to support our team which is representing Zimbabwe in Africa.”
Scottland are making their first appearance in the CAF Champions League after earning the right to represent Zimbabwe on the continental stage.
The victory over Nsingizini provided the perfect start to their campaign, although the Zimbabwean champions know there is still work to do with the tie delicately poised ahead of the return leg.
Scottland must now finish the job in Eswatini to keep alive their hopes of a prolonged run in Africa’s premier club competition.
