Bongani Moyo
Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland 0-1 Hardrock
HARDROCK’s dream debut in the top-flight picked up yet another huge credential after bursting into the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final following this quarter-final win at Rufaro yesterday.
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, and if Hardrock were inspired, they showed yesterday that they can go even a step further.
While Scottland were quickly bundled out of the Chibuku Super Cup before wrapping up 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 Eswatini giants Nsingizini Hotspurs last weekend, never really got to settle in the Hardrock showdown.
They hardly ever tested Martin Mapisa in goal 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 as to 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 loft the ball over defence and rusty goalkeeper Talbert Shumba.
Dlamini ghosted in and nodded home.
The draw for the semi-finals was held immediately after the match with Kaindu sounding cautious on the prospect of facing FC Hunters.
“I am happy with the way my players carried themselves. You know Scottland is not a bad team.
“But to come here and put in a disciplined show as we did is something that I want to give to the players,” said Kaindu.
“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 smarter.
Teams:
Scottland:
Talbert Shumba, Peter Muduhwa (Nickson Nyasulu 64min), Issaka Mohammed, Kevin Moyo (C), Albert Manenji, Mthokozisi Msebe, Abubakar Moffat (Tymon Machope 72min), Moses Shidolo, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Neville Tengeg (Khama Billiat 54min) Emmanuel Ziocha (Walter Musona 54min)
Hardrock:
Martin Mapisa, Lennox Mucheto, Tinotenda Muringai (C), Munashe Bamara, Gerald Takwara, Misheck Ngwenya, Washington Navaya (Last Nyilenda 65min), Xolani Ndlovu (Marshal Gavaza 81min), Prince Dube (Wilfred Madzungu 90min), Thubelihle Mavuso (Donald Mudadi 90min), Neliswa Dlamini
Online Reporter