Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland 2-1 Highlanders
SCOTTLAND’s new signing Terrence Dzvukamanja bagged his first brace for the Mabvuku side yesterday when they came from behind to beat giants Highlanders in a Premiership match at Rufaro yesterday.
The 31-year-old broke his duck with a brace in his third game for the ambitious new boys with two goals either side of the half after nodding home from close range in the 22nd minute to cancel out Mafious Chihweta’s lead before firing a low shot in the second-half to seal the game.
Bosso fluffed a brilliant chance to claim a share of the spoils when Marvin Sibanda missed from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining.
The victory was hailed by coach Tonderai Ndiraya as huge, as they have bounced back into the title race picture after narrowing the gap between them and log leaders Simba Bhora to just six points.
This comes as Ndiraya’s side was also handed three points by the PSL Disciplinary Committee ahead of the weekend, following the determination of their abandoned game against Chicken Inn last month.
But Ndiraya maintained they have a top five target from their employers and were well within the target after climbing to third place.
Scottland are now on 37 points from 21 games. Ndiraya hailed yesterday’s win as a huge step forward for his team, which won back-to-back matches after scripting a similar 2-1 comeback victory at Ngezi Platinum Stars last week.
“I think it’s a good win against a very difficult opponent. Highlanders were very competitive today, very, very competitive. In the end, I think we did enough to collect maximum points,” Ndiraya told the media yesterday.
But he was concerned by the way his team has been conceding goals of late.
“It’s a trend that I’m really, really worried about. We want to keep clean sheets. We haven’t been able to do that for quite a while now. I think in the six games that we’ve played, we’ve managed quite a few, if not one.
“So, we are conceding and I’m a bit worried by the way we are conceding. But of course, the team is on a positive note. The team is showing very good character.
“We did it at Ngezi, a very difficult venue. Then we did it again today against a very, very competitive opponent and that then gives us hope going forward that we need to improve.
“And I must say, we are still in the process of recovering. We’ve won two now and I’ll be happy if we continue picking up maximum points, especially at this stage of the season.
“So, we’ve won two and our hope and wish is that we can make it three. I think we haven’t done that this season and it is a target that we are really working on,” said Ndiraya.
True to his word, Scottland found themselves trailing Bosso after just 17 minutes. The home side defenders were caught off guard in a poor offside trap when Reason Sibanda darted into space on the right flank.
The forward paced into the box and then took his time before working out a cut back that found Chihweta inside the box. The diminutive winger made no mistake with a simple tap in to send Bosso ahead.
But the lead was short-lived. Scottland’s mid-season arrival Dzvukamanja scored his first goal for his new employers after nodding to the near post from a corner kick.
With the game swinging from one end to the other, Scottland could have surged but their captain Walter Musona failed to connect a high ball from Dzvukamanja which landed on his feet at the back post ahead in the 34th minute.
The hosts made several forays into Bosso territory but they lacked the killer punch.
Meanwhile, Highlanders also continued to be a thorn in the flesh for Scottland when going forward. Goal scorer Chihweta enjoyed a brilliant outing on the wing where he terrorised veteran fullback Godknows Murwira. Chihweta was a bundle of energy and his markers could not keep up with the pace.
But there was an injury scare for Highlanders at the hour mark as captain Andrew Mbeba wriggled in agony inside the penalty box after making a frantic clearance.
Mbeba was hurried back onto the pitch but the lanky defender was clearly in pain. He eventually went down and was stretchered off, with Malvern Hativagoni replacing him on the 65th minute.
Dzvukamanja scored a second for Scottland after 69 minutes when he found space inside the Bosso territory and unleashed a powerful shot that beat goalkeeper Reward Muza. The Bosso family felt the player was in an offside position with low key protests.
Highlanders had a chance to come back into the game after referee Lawrence Zimondi pointed to the spot for a foul inside the box.
Despite objections from the Scottland players, striker Marvin Sibanda stepped up to face goalkeeper Kelvin Shangiwa.
But, much to the disappointment of the Bosso fans behind the City End goal, Sibanda dragged his shot wide in a painful miss that marked the difference between drawing and losing for the visiting Bulawayo giants, who remained eighth place with 27 points.
Scottland had a chance to extend their lead courtesy of a linkup between substitute Michael Tapera and Mthokozisi Msebe but the latter blew his ef-fort over the bar.
Scottland, now on 37 points, still managed to slash the gap between them and the leading pack as they are now six points away from log leaders Simba Bhora.
Bosso coach Try Ncube was disappointed by the defeat on the road.
Teams
Scottland: Kelvin Shangiwa, Garreth Madhake, Albert Manenji, Kelvin Moyo, Tymon Machope (R. Pfumbidza, 82nd min), Vassili Kawe, Mthokozisi Msebe, Walter Musona (N. Mutasa, 88th min), Terrence Dzvukamanja (M. Tapera, 82nd min) Kingsley Mureremba, Khuda Ike Myaba (M. Shidolo, 55th min)
Highlanders: Reward Muza, Mvelo Khoza (B Ncube, 88th min), Brian Mlotshwa, Reason Sibanda, Marvin Sibanda (Mushonga, 76th min), Andrew Mbeba, Never Rauzhi, Darlington Munkuli (L Ncube, 88th min), Hubert Ncube (M Ncube, 76th min) Luckmore Mutumbi, Mafious Chihweta
