Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland…..(0) 1
Nsingizini Hotspurs….. 0
Zimbabweans champions Scottland kicked off their maiden CAF Champions League campaign when they edged 10-man Eswatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs in a Preliminary Round first leg match at the newly refurbishhed National Sports Stadium.
Cameroonian Neville Tengeg scored the solitary goal in the 66th minute, to ensure the Mabvuku side will carry a slender lead into the return leg in a few days’ time.
The visitors played the bigger part of the match a man down after their defender Kinsley Kwakyi was given his marching orders just three minutes into the game following a dangerous tackle on Moses Shidolo.
But the home team could not miximise on the numerical advantage.
The visitors were forced to adjust their game plan and managed to keep shape despite playing a man down.
To their credit, there were no clear-cut scoring opportunities at both ends in the opening half.
Scottland’s Abubakar Moffat struck from a distance and goalkeeper Sibusiso Dlamini parried the ball out for corner kick after 13 minutes.
Towering defender Moses Shidolo managed to get his head on the ball from the resultant corner kick but the goalkeeper was well-positioned to make an easy save.
At the half hour mark, Scottland players made a strong appeal for a penalty after the ball struck Luyanda Nhlengetewa’s hand but referee Sikhumbuzo Patrick Gasa waved play on.
The home team continued to see more of the ball, and Mthokozisi Msebe took a crack at goal from a distance shortly before the half time but the shot narrowly misses the target. Goalkeeper
Sibusiso Dlamini made a desperate dive but the ball missed the target.
Dhlamini was injured but quickly got back on his feet after he was attended to by team medics.
Scottland continued to camp in Nsingizini Hotspurs’ half, but the visitors soaked all the presssure thrown at them, to go to the breather goalless despite the numerical disadvantage.
Mapeza made a double substitution at the restart, bringing in goalscorer Tengeg and Emmanuel Ziocha in place of Khama Billiqt and Panashe Mtimbanyoka.
The move paid the dividends as Tengeg finally broke the deadlock after 66 minutes, when he controlled the ball inside the penalty box and fired a low shot that went in with the help of the upright.
Emmanuel Jalai, who had just been booked for simulation did all the donkey work on the right flanl before threading a neat pass into the box. The Cameroonian showed composure, picking his spot and placing beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
With the dust yet to Tengeg spotted the keeper off his line and attempted a volley which sailed just over the cross bar.
Jalai made another brilliant run on the flank and the ball agaon landed on the Cameroonian , who attempted to round off the keeper but then dragged his effort just wide of target.
Team line-ups:
Scottland: Nelson Chadya, Emmanuel Jalai, Moses Shidolo, Peter Muduhwa, Kelvin Moyo, Khwake Thwala, Mthokozisi Msebe, Walter Musona, Khama Billiat (Neville Tengeg, 46th min), Abubakar Moffat, Panashe Mtimbanyoka (Emmanuel Ziocha,
Nsingizini Hotspurs: Sibusiso Dlamini, Siyabonga Mkhonto (Thulani Jingana, 52nd min), Njongo Mazibuko (Mvuselel Mthethwa, 90th min), Quality Dlamini, Innocent Pakule, Kingsley Mkwakyi, Bongiswa Dlamini, Luyanda Nhlengetewa, Vuyo Macina, Nkosingiphile Shongwe, Sinenkosi Dlamini
