Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
AMID all the challenges which Scottland have faced in the first half of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, the solidity of their defence has been praised by many experts.
The Premiership newboys All-Star strikeforce of Khama Billiat, Lynoth Chikuwa and Tymon Machope struggled to find the rhythm which helped them destroy defences in the top-flight league last season.
But, their defence impressed and those fine qualities were on display at Baobab on Saturday as they turned on a defensive masterclass to edge Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-1.
Mthokozisi Msebe was the star of the Scotts with his double strike, after only 11 minutes, but the real heroes were the defenders who put on a shift of their lives to protect their lead and win the game.
The Scotts were reduced to 10 men in the 33rd minute, which meant they played a man short for 57 minutes in which they dealt with waves of the hosts’ attacks.
Tonderai Ndiraya’s decision to throw in Kelvin Moyo and sacrifice his defensive midfielder gave his team the man they needed, in terms of both height and strength, to help the defence while skipper Walter Musona was even pushed into a role where he played as a right wingback.
There have been questions whether Scottland are a united team, who can play for each other and those questions were answered on Saturday with a defiant defensive show.
Now and again, Ngezi bombarded their area with relentless attacks but the Scotts held firm and they were full value for their victory.
Kelvin Shangiwa, a former MWOS goalkeeper playing his first game for Scottland, was brilliant between the posts.
The win took Scottland’s tally of points to 31 and, given they are virtually assured of getting three more points from their abandoned league match against Chicken Inn, Ndiraya’s men will be just six points adrift of top spot.
This was a huge win for the Harare side, who had struggled in recent games, and it should boost their confidence levels going into the business end of the marathon.
