happiness Chikwanha
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS Utd ………………………………………………..0
Scottland……………………………………………… (0) 2
THIS could have been a hammering had CAPS United goalkeeper Harmony Nare not produced a man-of-the-match performance in a losing cause at Rufaro yesterday.
The Green Machine ‘keeper was the difference between an honourable loss and a massacre as an inspired Scottland finally showed their true colours with an impressive and dominant show.
The newboys are now top of the table as the only PSL club with maximum ponts after two games.
Tymon Machope and Sadney Urikhob were on target for Mabviraviwa.
“I am very excited,” said Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
“We were playing a very good team. If you play against a good team, a big team for that matter and then you get a result, a very comfortable result, then that means you are doing well.
“So, yeah, I want to congratulate the boys. The boys did very well today. If you recall, I said these boys needed recovery. The past week, the boys were just recovering.
“And we saw the performance today, completely different from the Triangle game. It was an improved performance.
“It’s only the second game in the Premier League. And if you put up a performance like this, what more can you ask from the team?”
Nare produced some stunning moments but his heroics were not enough to stop Scottland from claiming victory. Plucked from Division One side ZPC Hwange, the goalkeeper was outstanding all afternoon with amazing shot stopping techniques, his ability to play the ball, excellent ball distribution and brimming with confidence.
However, the star-studded Scottland, despite missing a glut of scoring opportunities, still found a way to subdue the giants, in front of a big and appreciative crowd at Rufaro.
Warriors coach Michael Nees and his assistant Takesure Chiragwi, who are this week expected to call their squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying games against Benin and Nigeria, were part of the crowd at Rufaro.
Ndiraya welcomed his star midfielder Khama Billiat and Mthokozisi Msebe, who have just returned from injury and the duo put in a decent shift, with Billiat providing the assist for the first goal soon after the resumption.
Scottland were guilty of squandering numerous scoring opportunities with Panashe Mutimbanyoka the main culprit.
CAPS United tried to claw back into the game but Scottland goalkeeper Talbert Shumba twice kept the home team at bay in the latter stages of the game after denying Jayden Bakari in a one-on one situations as well as parrying out substitute Jean Mutudza’s effort in a crowded box late on.
Coach Lloyd Chitembwe rued the defensive shortcomings that resulted in his team conceding goals.
“I thought it was a decent game with decent performances from both teams. I thought we could have done better in terms of the output, which is the result,” Chitembwe said.
“As far as the goals we conceded, I thought we could have done much better to try and avoid that. Both goals were out of some defensive errors. I’m looking at the first goal, how we conceded that goal. Loss of possession in the middle of the park.
“We never recovered from there. I’m sure it was after a series of 3-4-5 passes, they ended up scoring. That’s not permissible in serious football.”
Teams
CAPS Utd: Harmony Nare, Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Hastings Chapusha, Eric Manokore, Rodwell Chinyengetere (N. Chintuli, 61st min), Kundai Benyu (T. Matindife, 81st min), Tanaka Shandirwa (J. Mutudza, 61st min), Junior Bunjira (J. Mbollo, 61st min), Phineas Bamusi, Jayden Bakari
Scottland: Talbert Shumba, Godknows Murwira (G. Madhake, 63rd min), Ronald Pfumbidzai, Kelvin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Frederick Ansa-Botchway, Walter Musona (S. Urikhob, 76th min), Khama Billiat (M. Tapera, 63rd min), Mthokozisi Msebe, Panashe Mutimbanyoka (A. Manenji, 87th min), Tymon Machope
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter