Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze, Tongai Mashonga and Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SCOTTLAND’S lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table was cut to two points after they were held to a goalless draw by an impressive MWOS at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The defending champions began the day four points ahead of Hardrock, but their closest challengers beat Manica Diamonds 3-0 to move within striking distance.
Scottland still have a game in hand against Dynamos, although they were made to work for the point as MWOS controlled long periods of an intense contest and created the better first-half chances.
Dynamos remained third following a goalless draw against ZPC Kariba away at Nyamhunga, FC Platinum and 10-man Simba Bhora were deadlocked 1-1 at Mandava in a game in which Harrison Masina was sent off soon after scoring a 74th-minute goal for his team.
Masina was sitting on a yellow before he was booked for the second time for removing his jersey in celebration.
In Shamva, Ngezi Platinum Stars added to AGAMA’s relegation woes with 1-0 win at Wadzanai.
Yet the focus on yesterday’s games was always on the growing rivalry between Scottland and MWOS, which began when the two sides were still in the Northern Region Soccer League two seasons ago.
MWOS announced themselves inside the opening minute when Billy Veremu forced goalkeeper Nelson Chadya into an early save.
The visitors were left feeling hard done by a controversial call by referee Quedisani Dirwai to deny them a penalty following a clumsy tackle by Chadya in the box, two minutes into time added.
Earlier on, MWOS had continued to press Scottland, moving the ball quickly through the midfield and repeatedly testing the champions’ defence.
Scottland responded through Abubakar Moffat, whose powerful effort from outside the box drew a fine save from Francis Tizayi.
MWOS soon threatened again when Veremu escaped the attention of Issaka Mohammed and Nickson Nyasulu before releasing Arthur Banda.
Banda chose to cross towards the far post, but Moses Shidolo slid in to clear the danger.
Chadya then produced the best save of the first half, denying Banda from close range before recovering quickly to block the rebound.
MWOS were forced into an injury substitution in the 33rd minute, with McSean Murambiwa replacing defensive midfielder Tinotenda Mutyambizi.
Scottland began to find their way into the match towards the end of the first half, but could not break through a well-organised MWOS defence.
The champions returned from the interval with greater purpose and Walter Musona went close from inside the penalty area.
Knowledge Musona then tested Tizayi before missing another opportunity from Panashe Mutimbanyoka’s cross.
Khama Billiat also had a chance to break the deadlock after racing clear of Innocent Zambezi, but Tizayi stood firm in the one-on-one situation.
Both sides pushed for a winner in an increasingly open final phase, but neither could find the finishing touch.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa felt his side had earned a valuable point.
“I am impressed with how we handled ourselves today,” he said.
“This was a big match for us, especially considering the history between the two teams, so we had to prepare for a difficult test.
“The boys stuck to the plan. The pressure came, but they showed character and refused to bow. That is a big positive for us going forward.”
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza was left to rue his side’s missed opportunities.
“When games are tough like this and you create chances or half-chances, you need to bury them,” he said. “That is something we failed to do. In the end, we have to take the positives from the game and focus on our next assignment, which is the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.”
Hardrock turn up the heat
Washington Navaya struck twice as Hardrock extended their winning run to three matches and kept the pressure on leaders Scottland with a commanding 3-0 victory over Manica Diamonds at Chahwanda yesterday.
The Kwekwe 0utfit have now scored seven goals during that run, strengthening their place among the championship contenders despite coach Kelvin Kaindu continuing to play down talk of a title challenge.
Navaya’s first-half double also took his tally to a league-leading 14 goals, just three short of the 17 he scored last season.
New signing Thubelihle Mavuso completed the victory midway through the second half, capping an impressive first start with a goal and an assist.
Hardrock controlled the match from the opening whistle, with Sizwe Yeki Khumalo, Prince Dube and Mavuso combining well as the hosts searched for a way through a Manica defence marshalled by Polyester Shoko and former Hardrock defender Phillip Kaseke.
The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute when Navaya, wearing the number 36 jersey, converted Mavuso’s pass with a precise finish.
Four minutes later, the striker doubled Hardrock’s advantage at the end of a flowing seven-pass move, calmly applying the final touch to give the hosts a firm grip on the match before the break.
Kaindu was pleased with his side’s third successive victory and the growing competition within his squad.
“I think it was a good game for us,” he said. “Three wins in a row give us a bit of confidence, with Navaya also scoring two goals.
“It was not an easy game. Manica came determined and showed how much they wanted the victory. They were strong and made some good runs, but I give credit to my team.
“If we can score seven goals in three games, I think it shows how offensive we are.
“We also saw how well Takwara played in central defence. The young boy Mavuso started today and managed to score our third goal, which is good for the team.
“The players who came in during the mid-season window have added a different dimension. We now have many options.”
Kaindu admitted Scottland’s dropped points had given Hardrock an opportunity, but maintained that his side were not thinking about the championship race.
“We are not focused on how Scottland are playing. We want to concentrate on our own games,” he said.
“Of course, if they drop points, it gives us a bit of an advantage, but we don’t want to compare ourselves with Scottland.
“We are a team coming from Division One and our main objective is to stay in the Premier League. We are now quite certain that we will survive if we consolidate our current position.”
Manica coach, Herbert Maruwa, felt his side had been punished for mistakes at crucial moments.
“It wasn’t a good game for us,” he said.
“We did many things well in terms of our game plan, but in football, if you don’t convert your chances and you make mistakes, you get punished.
“We are still in the relegation fight, but there are 24 points to play for and it is still open. As you can see, the teams around us are also not moving.”
Chiefs claim Bulawayo derby honours
Bulawayo Chiefs wanted it more and Chicken Inn coach Tonderayi Ndiraya was honest enough to admit it after his side surrendered the Bulawayo derby 2-1 at Luveve yesterday.
Clive Rupiya struck the winner in the 63rd minute as Chiefs recovered from conceding an own goal to claim victory.
Melikhaya Ncube had given Chiefs the lead inside two minutes before Brian Rusinga turned the ball into his own net shortly after the restart.
Chicken Inn had more possession, but Chiefs were sharper in both penalty areas.
Chiefs caught Chicken Inn cold, scoring before the hosts had settled into the contest.
The Gamecocks worked their way back into the match, but struggled to break down a compact Chiefs defence.
Chiefs coach, John Nyikadzino, praised his players for making the most of their opportunities.
“It is a massive three points for us. We managed to utilise the chances that we got,” Nyikadzino said.
“I must admit that it was not an easy game. Chicken Inn are a very good side. I am happy that my boys are beginning to show signs of understanding each other on the field of play.”
Ndiraya admitted Chiefs had shown greater desire.
“It is three precious points lost at home. I am really disappointed that today we were not ourselves. Bulawayo Chiefs wanted it more than us,” he said.
“Probably it is because we missed a game when the others were playing. The momentum that we had was broken.
“We were just poor, to be honest. There was no urgency in our play. There was no urgency in everything.”
