Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
LLOYD Mutasa appears to have steadied the ship at MWOS after a difficult spell that saw pressure mounting on the Norton-based side and criticism directed at the veteran coach.
Two wins and a draw in their last three matches have restored some confidence within the camp and offered renewed hope of reviving a campaign that had begun to lose momentum.
The confidence is needed even more as they renew their long-standing rivalries with champions Scottland in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro this afternoon.
Scottland are the team to beat this season, having made their intentions clear in defence of their title under new coach Norman Mapeza.
The Mabvuku side lead the Castle Lager Premiership title race with 52 points, four ahead of second placed Hardrock, albeit with a game in hand.
But they face serious challenge from Hardrock and Dynamos, the nearest rivals in the title race.
Hardrock will be targeting maximum points when they host Manica Diamonds at Chahwanda, while fourth-placed Dynamos travel to Nyamhunga for a tricky assignment against ZPC Kariba.
DeMbare have bounced back into the picture as genuine title contenders following a remarkable resurgence engineered by technical director Aristica Cioaba.
The Glamour Boys, on 44 points, are unbeaten in 13 matches and remain within touching distance of the leading pack.
While the title race provides one sub-plot, the clash between Scottland and MWOS carries a deeper edge.
Scottland know they are confronting a challenge which goes beyond a routine football match because of their tense history with MWOS.
MWOS still feel aggrieved by events surrounding the race for promotion to the Premiership, with lingering bitterness adding extra spice whenever the two sides meet.
Their recent encounters have produced fiercely contested battles. MWOS won the first top-flight meeting between the teams 1-0 last season, dealing a significant blow to Scottland’s title ambitions.
Scottland responded in the reverse fixture with a 1-0 victory at Rufaro on their way to securing a maiden championship.
The Mabvuku side carried the form into this season and repeated an identical 1-0 away at Ngoni to claim the bragging rights.
While the two clubs went toe-to-toe in last year’s title race, their fortunes have diverged considerably this season, reflecting the difference in the level of investment in playing and coaching personnel.
Scottland are chasing a historic back-to-back title in their first two seasons and MWOS have been struggling to maintain mid-table place.
Mapeza’s side has been growing from strength to strength in terms of beefing up their squad with some big signings at home and from the region.
Their transfer business activity has not been matched. MWOS, on the other hand, have lost some of their key players like Nigel Matinha, Abubakar Moffat and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, who anchored their maiden campaign last season.
Ironically, Moffat is now in the books of Scottland and could be given a run against former paymasters this afternoon.
However, Mutasa remains adamant he has the quality to challenge any team in the domestic topflight.
“I think if you look at the arsenal that we have, it’s almost the same, save for the three that went out,” said Mutasa in a recent interview.
“But I want to believe that some of the youngsters, if you look at the youngsters, they are giving their all this time around.
“You look at people like MacSean (Murambiwa), you look at people like (Aristotle) Manyamba, you look at people like Brendon Mpofu. They are the ones who are giving their all.
“And if you look back, these are the youngsters that we had last year but they were playing in Division one. But the hunger and desire of these youngsters to go forward, I think it’s one area that is lagging behind,” said Mutasa.
The former midfielder has been working on motivating his players and the results have showed following the draw with Simba Bhora and the wins over AGAMA and FC Platinum in their most recent matches.
“We will play our usual, and we believe it will be enough to get us a result from the game,” said Mutasa.
Scottland are returning home after participating in the Toyota Challenge Cup against South African giants Kaizer Chiefs last week.
They lost the match 0-1, but they have made it clear the priority is defending the league title as well as winning the domestic competitions which include the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and the Chibuku Super Cup, apart from defending the league title. Club president Scott Sakupwanya has not made their ambitions a secret.
“I think you know the honourable (Sakupwanya) said he likes to win everything,” defender Kelvin Moyo said.
“With the quality we have, whoever is given the opportunity should just have to perform. Of course, we have to defend the league,” said Moyo.
Castle Lager Premiership Fixtures:
Today: Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Simba Bhora (Mandava), Triangle v FC Hunters (Gibbo), Scottland v MWOS (Rufaro), AGAMA v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Wadzanayi), Hardrock v Manica Diamonds (Chahwanda)
Tomorrow: CAPS Utd v Highlanders (Rufaro)
