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Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi was at Rufaro last Sunday when star-studded newboys Scottland upstaged giants CAPS United in a fiercely contested Castle Lager Premiership match.
He was flanked by national team coach Michael Nees, as the two were on a mission to have a final look at some of the local players they intended to call up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Eventually, six of the nine locally based players were called up from Scottland, cementing their status as one of the strongest teams in the country.
This afternoon, Chiragwi is expected to return to the same venue knowing exactly what to expect as his Ngezi Platinum Stars face the Mabvuku side.
This ultimately could turn out to be another strong test for the newboys, who have so far passed with flying colours after facing Triangle and CAPS United in their opening two league games.
Ngezi Platinum Stars, who won their only league title in 2023 under Chiragwi, have started the season on a promising note.
They collected a point away from newly promoted side Kwekwe United before their 1-0 win over GreenFuel at home last week.
The Mhondoro side have a competitive side with players like Obrey Chirinda, Malvin Gaki, Farai Madhanaga, Richard Hachiro, Nyasha Gurende, and former Golden Boot winner Takunda Benhura.
But the quality Scottland would boast more in terms of quality after the newboys raided the market during the pre-season and beefed up with some of the best players in the league.
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya admitted he was spoilt for choice because of the depth of his squad. Six of his players, led by Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, Mthokozisi Msebe, Godknows Murwira, Tymon Machope, and Peter Muduhwa, are expected to leave for national team duty soon after the match.
Ndiraya indicated that he would be rotating the players as he looks to build a strong unit. Ndiraya believes Scottland are still under construction despite a strong start that saw them winning both games against highly competitive sides Triangle and CAPS United.
“We’re still in the process of building a team,” he said.
“Hopefully in the next few matches, after a few games, those players will start to understand each other.
“They will start to play as a team. And then ultimately, the distance. So, at the moment, there’s nothing to talk about apart from certain individuals who came from other teams.
“There’s nothing to talk about, apart from talking about Khama himself, in his individual capacity, Walter Musona, Mthokozisi Msebe, and Tymon Machope in their individual capacities. But of course, football is all about quality, if you ask me.
“With quality, what we are expecting from the squad at the moment is for those individuals to perform and give us results. At least we are in the process of building a team. So in the next few games, we’ll be talking of a different story.
“But as of now, nothing to talk about. We are still a new team, newly assembled. A team that is still getting to understand each other. Look, coming to our preparations, no complaints, no complaints despite the rains.”
Scottland are the only team with a 100 percent winning record. But the situation at the top of the table could change overnight should Ngezi Platinum Stars prevail.
There will be six matches tomorrow as GreenFuel hosts giants Highlanders while Simba Bhora welcomes bogey side Herentals at Wadzanayi Stadium. Dynamos will be at Rufaro again this week as they entertain Hebert Maruwa’s TelOne.
Newboys MWOS will be looking to continue with their positive start to Premiership life when they host Yadah at Baobab, while a battle of minnows featuring Kwekwe United and Bikita Minerals awaits at Bata Stadium. Former champions FC Platinum will travel to Luveve to face Chicken Inn, who are still looking for a first win after drawing the two opening fixtures. FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was optimistic ahead of the trip despite the rain disruptions to their preparations this week.
“I think it has been raining since Monday,” said Mapeza.
“The pitch is a little bit muddy.
“It’s always very important for us to manage our training sessions. The pitch is a little bit heavy. But I can’t say much in terms of our preparations. (They have been) brilliant, brilliant. The guys are pushing. You can tell everybody is ready for the game.
“We’ve been talking about the Chicken Inn game since Tuesday when we started training; a very important game for us. Last year, we went there, and we lost 2-0. But then, I thought we had a very good first half. Second half, we just collapsed. But it’s part of football. So, we know the challenges we’re going to face on Saturday.
Fixtures:
Today: Scottland v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro),
Tomorrow: GreenFuel v Highlanders (GreenFuel Arena), Simba Bhora v Herentals (Wadzanayi Stadium), Dynamos v TelOne (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), MWOS v Yadah (Baobab Stadium), Kwekwe United v Bikita Minerals (Bata Stadium)
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Triangle v CAPS United (GreenFuel Arena)
Online Reporter