Zimpapers Sports Hub
SCOTTLAND throwing in the towel mid-week could have been mind games after all, and their ambition was in full display at Rufaro yesterday when they outclassed helpless Herentals 4-0.
Kingsley Mureremba, Knowledge Musona, Kwakhe Thwala and Khama Billiat were all on target.
At Wadzanayi, nearly men Hardrock choked on a day they needed just a win to be crowned champions in their debut season.
With just two points separating Scottland and Hardrock, Kelvin Kaindu’s side could look back and realise this is where they dropped the ball.
Hardrock, who are chasing a historic league title in their debut top-flight campaign, still have their destiny in their own hands and can secure the championship with victory over FC Platinum.
However, Scottland remain firmly in contention and will be crowned champions if they beat
Triangle United at Gibbo and Hardrock fail to collect maximum points against FC Platinum.
But Kaindu still believes.
“The destiny is now in our own hands, we should not look at what is happening elsewhere, so we
just have to go back, take a breather and come back for the final hurdle fully focused.”
For Simba Bhora the fight was more about themselves.
Coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu said: “We knew what was at stake and our focus was to ensure that we are not a passage for Hardrock into the championship… many had written us off, they thought this was an easy assignment for the visitors but we didn’t buy into that.
“I am impressed with how we fought, we have our own target as a side already building for next season and our plan worked well… it is a point gained for us so now everything is firmly in their own hands.”
At Wadzanayi, Hardrock had several opportunities to put the game beyond Simba Bhora but were let down by poor finishing, with forwards Prince Dube and Washington Navaya particularly wasteful.
Kasongo Boys could have settled the contest inside the opening 10 minutes after creating three clear-cut scoring opportunities, but Navaya and Dube failed to convert.
Simba Bhora, meanwhile, offered limited attacking threat, with teenage forward Cole Tsamba coming closest to breaking the deadlock when his effort was comfortably dealt with by Hardrock goalkeeper Martin Mapisa.
Hardrock continued to push for a winner and introduced Donald Mudadi in search of a
breakthrough.
The substitute, however, missed a glorious opportunity to hand the visitors all three points when he failed to beat First Gandisani in a one-on-one situation.
His disappointing miss proved costly, with Mudadi subsequently substituted as Hardrock were forced to settle for a point.
The result means the championship battle will now be decided on the final day, with Hardrock still holding the advantage but Scottland ready to capitalise on any slip-up.
For the Kwekwe outfit, the equation is simple.
They should just beat FC Platinum and the title is theirs.
Yesterday’s Results
Bulawayo Chiefs 2-0 FC Hunters
Chicken Inn 3-1 GAMA
FC Platinum 4-3 Triangle
MWOS 0-1 Ngezi Platinum
Scottland 4-0 Herentals
Simba Bhora 0-0 Hardrock
ZPC Kariba 0-1 Caps United
Today’s Fixtures
Highlanders v TelOne (Barbourfields)
Dynamos v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro)
