Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland…………………………………………….(1)3
FC Hunters…………………………………..…………0
WHEN he is on song, Khama Billiat is simply in a class of his own.
Two games, FOUR goals, and it appears he is just starting.
He scored a brace at Rufaro yesterday, his double in three days, as his headers sunk FC Hunters in this one-sided Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro.
This was only his second start this season, after he was selected against Manica Diamonds at Gibbo on Thursday, where he also scored twice in a 3-0 victory.
He was unplayable against a sorry FC Hunters side whose quality was simply no match for the reigning champions.
Billiat, who scored just once in the entire term last year, now leads the scoring charts in the top-flight with four goals after only four match days and two appearances from the start.
He expertly headed home twice, either side of the half-time break, while also playing a huge role in the third goal as Scottland steamrolled their bewildered opponents.
The result lifted Mabviravira to second on the table with eight points, four adrift of leaders CAPS United, going into the international break.
FC Hunters, whose composition makes them look more or less like Scottland cousins given most of their players played a key part in the promotion of the team to the PSL, had not been breached coming into this tie after playing three goalless draws in the opening three games.
But they were carved open in brutal fashion, with a Billiat roadshow, ably aided by captain Walter Musona, who wrapped up the scoring, Moses Shidolo, Mthokozisi Msebe and Abubakar Moffat who made it look like it was a routine training session.
Everything that Scottland did was up to the point only that they were at times casual to the point of missing easy chances with Emmanuel Ziocha and substitute Isakar Gurirab the chief culprits.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza hailed Billiat.
“If you look at Khama Billiat, if you look at Knowledge Musona, they never missed one day of pre-season. Khama was there day and night. You can’t just take anything away from him,” said Mapeza.
“The intelligence is there, the smartness, you know, and it’s just a real talent. Just a real talent.”
The newcomers kept the champions at bay in the first 20 minutes and they even looked like a team that was capable of putting together a surprise counter and remain intact at the back.
However, when Shidolo swung in a perfect cross and Billiat headed home the first goal, the die was cast for them.
Five minutes after the break, Billiat flashed a header off a Walter Musona in-swinging corner before the latter struck from close range to make the match safe.
FC Hunters coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera admitted the gulf in quality between the two teams was the difference.
“The main difference was quality. Those guys were too superior,” said Saruchera.
“We fought hard. In terms of quality, we couldn’t match. But I think my young boys respected them too much.
“They gave them too much room, but we need to address that.“
