Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga in Mbabane-Manzini, Eswatini
Nsingizini 0-0 Scottland
(Scottland 1-0 Nsingizini)
Scottland progressed to the next round of the CAF Champions League after holding Nsingizini Hotspurs to a goalless draw in Eswatini today, giving them a 1-0 aggregate.
Last week’s home win was enough for the African Safari debutants to book a place in the preliminary round of the continental top-tier club competition.
Carrying a one-goal advantage into the second leg, Scottland went into the match cautiously, making five changes to the team that won 1-0 last week at the National Sports Stadium.
Scottland were more aggressive in the opening stages of the match as they sought to score a goal that could have given them a healthy advantage.
The Norman Mapeza-coached side, however, failed to convert the early chances that came their way as they pressed, forcing hosts Nsingizini Hotspurs to defend deep.
As the match progressed, Nsingizini began to settle into the game, causing some scares for the Zimbabwean champions.
However, the Eswatini side’s forwards failed to convert the few chances that came their way in the first half.
Determined to protect their one-goal advantage, Scottland remained disciplined against a more improved Nsingizini side in the second half.
Mapeza said the five changes he made and the defensive approach were tactical moves.
“They are no perfect games, but at the end of the day what matters most is the result,” he said.
