Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
MAYBE, Scottland can now call the National Sports Stadium their HOME.
The champions might be building their own stadium in their home suburb of Mabvuku but it appears they are developing a love affair with the giant stadium.
They were in action when the refurbished stadium was opened for the first time, after a lengthy period of time, in which it was undergoing major renovations.
Norman Mapeza’s men battled CAPS United in a league match that afternoon and powered to a 2-0 win on May 31.
Knowledge Musona and Panashe Mutimbanyoka scored early in the game to settle the contest.
It was that match which gave the local authorities an idea of the areas they needed to fix for the giant stadium to pass the CAF test to host international matches again.
After the giant stadium finally passed the test, it was Scottland again who were given the chance to play there.
It’s where they hosted their Eswatini opponents Nsingizini Hotspurs in a CAF Champions League match.
The Scotts scrapped a priceless 1-0 win, which they defended in Eswatini, to qualify for the first round of the tournament.
Nsingizini were hoping to complete a double over Zimbabwean representatives after the eliminated Simba Bhora from the Champions League last year.
Tomorrow, the giant stadium will host its third match this year and, again, Scottland will be in action.
They will host Agama in a Castle Lager Premiership match which they simply have to win after their closest challengers crept within just a point of the champions.
The match will be played under floodlights, which is also being used as test case by authorities, who want to see if the giant stadium can host matches during the night again.
Three matches at the giant stadium and the same team in action, it surely must now feel like home for the Scotts.
It has been a kind venue for them so far.
They have won the two matches they have played there and, crucially, they are yet to concede a goal in those 180 minutes of action.
It’s something that Mapeza will take into tomorrow’s match although he would love his men to score and win the match against the plucky opponents who are fighting for their lives in the top-flight league.
Scottland have struggled to hit top gear of late and some have blamed it on the absence of Knowledge Musona.
The former Warriors skipper’s arrival at the club, midway through last season, was seen by many observers as the turning point of what was, until then, a titanic battle for the title with MWOS.
There are some analysts who argue that had Knowledge joined MWOS, who are his hometown club, instead of the Scotts, Lloyd Mutasa’s men would have claimed the league championship.
Knowledge doesn’t only bring goals and leadership in the team, he also brings experience and his relentless quest for success, even as his career navigates its final chapters, has been a huge boost for the Scotts.
But, even without Knowledge, the Scotts have to find a way to win tomorrow evening or they might find themselves in second place by the end of the day.
Hardrock feel like they have the wind in their sails and, after their morale-boosting win at Rufaro on Wednesday, they will arrive at Barbourfields with a spring in their step.
They face Highlanders tomorrow afternoon.
If they win, they will go two points clear at the top and the challenge will be on the Scotts to respond in the evening match.
Either way, this weekend looks like a defining one in the championship race before the league gives way to the international fixtures.
