Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland……………………………………….0
Hardrock…………………………….……….(1)1
HARDROCK finally scored their FIRST AND ONLY goal against Scottland, in FOUR-AND-HALF hours of football, but it was enough to sweep them to a famous win and a place in the Chibuku Super Cup.
The Kwekwe side had failed to score in their two duels against the champions in league matches with the first one ended goalless at Chahwanda and the Scotts winning 2-0 at Rufaro.
But, this was a different and energetic Hardrock who dominated this match and were full value for their famous win.
Hardrock will now meet Hunters in the semi-finals while CAPS United will date Highlanders in the other match.
With the final set for Chahwanda, this means Hardrock still have a chance to complete a fairy-tale conclusion to their maiden campaign in the Chibuku Super Cup by winning the tourney at home.
It also means Scottland’s quest for a Treble – winning the league, the Chibuku Super Cup and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup – went up in smoke.
That they lost to Hardrock, the club which is also in a good position to deny them the league title, will hurt the Scottland leadership.
Kelvin Kaindu’s charges were full value of the famous victory delivered through Neliswa Dlamini’s header in the opening half.
Scottland wrote a good piece of history by winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title in their first season last year to become the first team to do so in 41 years.
An inspired Hardrock showed yesterday that they can go even a step further.
While Scottland were quickly bundled out of the Chibuku Super Cup before wrapping the league championship last season, the Kwekwe team can actually fancy sweeping the board as they are firmly in the running for the title alongside the Chibuku Super Cup and Munhumutapa Cup.
Scottland, fresh from scrapping a draw that ensured their passage to the next round in the CAF Champions League against Nsingizini Hotspurs last weekend, never really got to settle yesterday.
They hardly ever tested Martin Mapisa in goals for Hardrock for the entire first half while their opponents bombarded them from all directions.
Hardrock’s midfield dictated the tempo and set the pace of the game and by the end of the opening 15 minutes, the writing was literally on the wall on who would likely break the ice.
Of course it was Hardrock and predictably so.
Right back Lennox Mucheto beat a poor Scottland offside trap on the right flank and had all the time he needed to lift the ball over defence and rusty goalkeeper Talbert Shumba.
Dlamini ghosted in and nodded home.
“I am happy with the way my players carried themselves. You know Scottland is not a bad team,” said Kaindu.
“But to come here and put in a disciplined show, as we did, is something that I want to give to the players.
“The games are coming thick and fast. We really needed to win this match and now we will face another tricky opponent in FC Hunters.
“It’s a game that we know won’t be easy even if we will be playing at home.”
Scottland coach, Norman Mapeza, admitted Hardrock were better.
Teams
Scottland
Talbert Shumba, Peter Muduhwa (Nickson Nyasulu 64th min), Issaka Mohammed, Kevin Moyo (C), Albert Manenji, Mthokozisi Msebe, Abubakar Moffat (Tymon Machope 72th min), Moses Shidolo, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Neville Tengeg (Khama Billiat 54th min) Emmanuel Ziocha (Walter Musona 54th min)
Hardrock
Martin Mapisa, Lennox Mucheto, Tinotenda Muringai (C), Munashe Bamara, Gerald Takwara, Misheck Ngwenya, Washington Navaya (Last Nyilenda 65th min), Xolani Ndlovu (Marshal Gavaza 81th min), Prince Dube (Wilfred Madzungu 90min), Thubelihle Mavuso (Donald Mudadi 90th min), Neliswa Dlamini
