Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports
Scottland……………………….. 0
Ngezi Platinum Stars…… 0 (1)
IF anyone doubted the magnitude of the rivalries new boys Scottland created on their arrival to the big stage, then the celebrations by an alliance of ‘neutral’ supporters that followed the Mabvuku side’s first defeat of the season at Rufaro yesterday were sufficient to tell the depth of the acrimony.
This is not the first time that the majority of fans at Rufaro, believed to be disgruntled Dynamos and CAPS United, have stood up in alliance to back any team that plays against Scottland.
Consequently, Ngezi Platinum Stars yesterday enjoyed the support they never knew they had in Harare as their captain Kudzai Chigwida converted a second half penalty to settle the matters in this highly contested tie.
What made the victory more pleasant to the alliance of the fans was that it was the first time seeing the new boys’ defence breached and moreso losing a match.
Scottland presumably irked the fans from rival PSL clubs by raiding their teams for the best talents using their financial muscle after gaining their maiden promotion this season.
They started off the campaign on a high with victories over Triangle and CAPS United, to set them on a path to emulate the likes of Black Rhinos, who made similar waves when they stormed the topflight and won the league in their debut season in 1984.
The predominantly Makepekepe fans, who hoisted the Green Machine flag for the most part of the game yesterday, erupted into wild celebrations at the conclusion of the 90 minutes and called the visiting players to the City End bay to toast to the result.
However, Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya was a bit bothered by the way his team lacked the cutting edge yesterday. He was also not entirely satisfied with the penalty call by referee Brighton Chimene, which contributed to their defeat.
Chimene pointed to the spot after substitute Tinotenda Ditima was brought down in the box by Frederick Ansa-Botchway.
“I don’t know what really happened. We’ll have to see the video,” said Ndiraya.
“But it was careless to concede a penalty in such a manner; in such times of the game. So in the end we had to lose the way we lost.
“ And that’s part of the game. So we tried to push after that. We were risking, but in the end we could not create any meaningful chance to come back into the game.
“So, that’s how it is. That’s part of the game. Look forward to the next match,” said Ndiraya.
The first half was well balanced with both teams playing a positive and entertaining brand of football. Chances were created at both ends of goal but the first half ended goalless.
It was difficult to ignore the exciting duels in the park with former Zimbabwe international Richard Hachiro leading the fight for the visitors. Hachiro freed up the park for the likes of Obrey Chirinda, Talent Chamboko, Malvin Gaki and Ashwin Karengesha to explore the Scottland half.
But Ngezi Platinum Stars could have paid dearly for a defensive gaffe between goalkeeper Darlington Murasiranwa and his defender Leslie Kashtigu in the 18th minute.
Scottland poster boy, Khama Billiat, who also had a brilliant outing in the exciting midfield duels, stole the ball and released Tymon Machope who, however, took a bit longer to pull the trigger before the visitors recovered and thwarted the move as he came face to face with the goalkeeper.
Then, Gaki curled his effort just wide at the other end of goal but Scottland had a better chance following a dazzling touch by Billiat deep inside the Ngezi Platinum half to find Machope at the half hour mark.
Machope laid the ball for equally impressive Mthokozisi Msebe but the former Simba Bhora midfielder’s booming shot sailed just over the crossbar.
Gaki could have broken the ice when he gathered a loose ball inside the Scottland penalty box, but he volleyed his shot wide just before the breather.
Ngezi Platinum Stars appeals for penalty were turned down by the referee after Gaki tumbled inside the crowded box at the hour mark, much to the disapproval of the predominantly CAPS United supporters housed behind the Scottland goal.
But the visitors felt mollified when a penalty was awarded with about 10 minutes remaining after substitute Ditima was brought down inside the box.
Skipper Chigwida took the honours and sent goalkeeper Talbert Shumba the wrong way in the 83rd minute to give Ngezi Platinum Stars their second win of the season and claim pole position going into the weekend games.
Visiting coach Takesure Chiragwi, who is also the national team assistant coach, was thrilled by the win and he paid tribute to the quality in the Scottland side that has six players called for the World Cup qualifiers.
“To be honest, this is a strong side and I would want to say that it’s a studded team. It’s a very good team. On a good day they could even beaten us. We could even go out and draw.
“To be honest they are very competent. They’ve got a good quality but today it was our day. We used our chance that we got to make sure we can make the difference.
“But it’s a very good team that we also need to respect. They had their chances to make sure they can bounce back or even punishing us.
“But they couldn’t manage to utilise their chances. That was the difference. But I think it’s a very good team,” said Chiragwi.
Teams:
Scottland: Talbert Shumba, Godknows Murwira (S. Urikhob, 82nd min), Ronald Pfumbidzai ( M. Tapera, 73rd min), Kelvin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Frederick Ansa-Botchway, Walter Musona (A. Manenji, 82nd min), Khama Billiat (L. Chikuhwa, 82nd min), Mthokozisi Msebe, Panashe Mutimbanyoka (G. Madhake, 73rd min), Tymon Machope
Ngezi Platinum Stars: Darlington Murasiranwa, Gomezgani Chirwa, Kudzai Chigwida, Leslie Kashitigu, Nyasha Gurende, Richard Hachiro, Farai Madhanhanga, Malvin Gaki (T. Ditima, 72nd min), Talent Chamboko (Mavhudzi, 72nd min), Ashwin Karengesha (M. Mukumba, 93rd min), Obriel Chirinda
