Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHAMPIONS Scottland needed a result, badly, and they got it in the middle of chaos.
Khama Billiat’s second-half strike settled a heated and ugly Castle Lager Premiership affair at Ngoni yesterday, a match that swung between proper football and something close to disorder, as Scottland edged MWOS to move within two points of leaders CAPS United, at least for now.
This one was never going to be calm. It has not been since these two started bumping into each other back in the Northern Region Soccer League days in 2024.
There is history here, and it showed from the first whistle, with the tackles coming early. Some were fair, others were not. Tempers stayed close to the surface. And then the situation boiled over.
At half-time, players from both sides refused to leave the pitch, arguing and pushing over control of the centre spot.
It dragged on long enough to eat into the break, with the teams only heading to the dressing rooms with barely five minutes left of the interval.
“I don’t know what to say about this. It’s uncalled for,” said Scottland coach Norman Mapeza. “It’s unfortunate to see things like that happening in this era.”
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa was just as blunt: “This is condemnable. We cannot allow such things to happen in this age.”
Scottland had a point to prove. They lost this fixture 1-0 last season and never really recovered from it.
Ten minutes into the second half, Mafios Chiweta drove forward with purpose, drew defenders and slipped Billiat in. The veteran laid it back into the path of Chiweta, whose effort was saved by Tedious Baye.
The rebound was messy, bouncing off bodies, but Billiat reacted first and forced it over the line.
Scottland managed the game from there, not always comfortably, but with enough control to see it through.
MWOS remain on 13 points.
Yabo wins at last
Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera has been having some sleepless nights since his return to the Premier Soccer League trenches.
But yesterday his debutants FC Hunters registered their first victory in the top-flight, which came via a 77th -minute curling effort from Elder Chirima as they beat Lloyd Chitembwe’s Triangle at The Heart Stadium.
It was Chitembwe’s first visit to Harare since he ended his coaching sabbatical that had followed his May 2025 departure from CAPS United
Simba Bhora run riot
At Wadzanai in Shamva, 2024 champions Simba Bhora finally found the magic which their potential had long promised, blowing away their former coach Joel Luphahla and his FC Platinum 3-0.
Harrison Masina grabbed a brace after defender Webster Tafa had scored a 10th-minute penalty.
Is this the end for Jompano?
The writing is on the wall for TelOne coach Herbert “Jompano’’ Maruwa after his team slumped to their fifth home loss and sixth overall after a 1-0 defeat to Herentals at Ascot.
Veteran Ralph Kawondera scored the winner, which could have sealed Maruwa’s fate at the Gweru side.
The defeat means TelOne, who finished a respectable fifth last season, have only collected three points so far in this campaign.
Scores of TelOne fans waited outside the dressing rooms baying for the coach’s head, following a breakdown in the relationship between the gaffer and the team’s supporters.
“Tough luck to the boys, we tried everything, but failed to get the equaliser, again we lost concentration,” said Maruwa.
Herentals coach Celestino Benza was delighted with victory on the road, but felt their performance was not the best they could give.
Ngezi escape with a point as Agama let it slip
Ngezi Platinum Stars are still unbeaten at Baobab, but this one will feel like a warning rather than a statement.
They had to come from behind to rescue a point against Agama yesterday, and for long spells, they were second best at home. Malvin Gaki tapped in early for the hosts, meeting a low cross from Tanaka Munemo and inside 10 minutes Ngezi looked in control.
Agama’s Grey Kufandada punished a Darlington Murasiranwa fumble in the 25th minute to level, then went again, rising to head in a Siphephelo Philisilo cross as the visitors took the lead.
Ngezi came out a different side after the break. Wilson Brown, who had kept Agama ahead with a string of saves, turned from hero to culprit in the 70th minute when he failed to deal with a routine cross, spilling it into danger, and Farai Madhanhaga reacted quickest to stab home the equaliser.
Ngezi coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva said: “It’s good that we got a point, but this was not the best performance from the team.”
Agama coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe saw both sides of it.
“We played well. I think we should have gotten more goals in the first half when we were in control of the game but I will trust the process,” he said.
Gamecocks leak again
Chicken Inn are making it too easy for their opponents, with Bulawayo Chiefs walking away 2-0 winners in a derby that exposed the Gamecocks’ frailties once again.
Their coach Tonderai Ndiraya did not dress it up.
“We lost to Highlanders through defensive errors and today it was the same story,” he said.
Bulawayo Chiefs, coached by John Nyikadzino, kept their shape, stayed patient and struck early.
Manica Diamonds hold Hardrock
Manica Diamonds turned up late, skipped the warm-up and still looked the better side, but could not turn control into goals in a goalless draw against Hardrock at the GreenFuel Arena.
This was a team coming off a week of industrial action, a squad that only travelled on matchday and arrived after the scheduled 3pm kick-off.
The game started 30 minutes late.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu did not hide his frustration.
“It was a very difficult game. We focused more on what was going on with our opponents through social media,” he said. “That affected our play mentally and psychologically. We just didn’t come to the party.”
Manica coach Clifton Kadurira said: “I am happy with the performance from the guys. I don’t want to comment much on the administrative side of the club because my duty is on the field of play.”
