Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in Mbabane, Eswatini
Nsingizini Hotspurs 0-0 Scottland 0
Scottland won 1-0 on aggregate
“TACTICAL, tactical, tactical,” emphasised Scottland coach Norman Mapeza when asked about his decision to make five changes to his starting line-up yesterday.
The veteran coach’s gamble paid off as his side held Nsingizini Hotspurs to a goalless draw to secure a place in the second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League.
Scottland went into the match carrying a slender 1-0 lead and Mapeza made bold changes to his side.
He tinkered with the back four, leaving out Peter Muduhwa, Kwakhe Twala and the injured Emmanuel Jalai.
Mapeza also benched star player Khama Billiat and winger Panashe Mutimbanyoka.
He sent Al-Ameen Tijani, Issaka Mohamed, Nickson Nyasulu and Neville Tengeg into battle, while handing Seth Patrick his Mabviravira debut.
The changes caught Nsingizini by surprise as Scottland remained compact throughout the match.
They could have won it had Tengeg not headed over a cross from Mtokozisi Msebe in the second half.
“That’s why we are here as coaches,” said Mapeza.
“There is no perfect game in this world.
“The guys worked so hard, and the credit should go to them.”
Scottland will now face either Petro de Luanda of Angola or UD Songo of Mozambique in the second preliminary round.
Petro carried a 1-0 aggregate lead into yesterday’s return leg in Luanda.
“Like I said, we came here looking for two results, a draw or a win,” said Mapeza.
“The guys worked so hard today. For us, we just have to take each game as it comes.”
The Zimbabwean champions could have snatched victory.
Msebe found Tengeg unmarked inside the penalty area in the 65th minute, but the Cameroonian striker inexplicably headed over.
Mohamed also struck the side-netting early in the first half. His shot tore the net and forced a stoppage of about six minutes while it was repaired.
Scottland are now one round away from the lucrative Champions League group stage.
Should they beat either Petro or UD Songo in the second preliminary round, the Mabvuku side will join Africa’s elite in the group phase.
Yesterday’s result left Nsingizini coach Mandla Qhogi eating his words.
After last week’s first leg, Qhogi warned Scottland to seek advice from Simba Bhora, who were knocked out by Nsingizini in the first preliminary round last season.
Simba Bhora won the first leg 1-0 before Nsingizini responded with the same scoreline and triumphed 4-2 on penalties.
After yesterday’s result, Qhogi saluted Mapeza.
“I would say it was a good strategy from the coach,” he said.
“He changed about five players from the last starting line-up and came with another plan of sitting deep and trying to catch us on the counter.
“We tried to manage that and make sure we had numbers going forward, but with their reinforced defence, it was slightly difficult.”
Nsingizini created a few chances, with Quality Dhlamini again showing the form he displayed at the National Sports Stadium last weekend.
“I think the boys put in a very good shift,” said Qhogi.
“The Swati nation must be proud of these boys. They showed that they represented the country very well.
“It’s unfortunate that we are out of the tournament, but we are looking forward to the league, which is going to start soon.
“If we had more minutes in our legs, I think we could have done better in the two games we played.”
While Scottland have already played 28 league matches, the Eswatini Premier League is yet to kick off.
Mabviravira now shift their attention to the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final against Hardrock on Wednesday.
They are expected to leave Eswatini today, with Mapeza facing another test of his squad management.
“On Monday, we meet for a recovery session. On Tuesday, we are in camp and on Wednesday, we have a cup game,” he said.
“The fixtures have not been good to us, but we have to manage the situation.
“Some of the guys who didn’t play today will play on Wednesday because we have to keep managing our squad.”
In the end, it was all jubilation for the band of Scottland supporters who travelled from Harare courtesy of club owner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya.
When goalkeeper Nelson Chadya claimed a corner and dropped to the ground before Malagasy referee Andrisoa Arnaud Zafimahatoha blew the final whistle, Scottland had written another piece of history.
They are through to the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on their debut.
TEAMS
Nsingizini Hotspurs: T. Dhlamini, S. Dhlamini, N. Shongwe, V. Macina, L. Nhlenghetwa, B. Dhlamini (M. Zwane 78th), M. Mthethwa (M. Hlatshwako 74th), P. Mangaliso, N. Mazibuko, Q.
Dhlamini, S. Masuku.
Scottland: N. Chadya, K. Moyo, I. Mohamed, N. Nyasulu, A. Tijani, M. Shidolo (P. Muduhwa 90+4), A. Moffat, S. Patrick (K. Mureremba 80th), M. Msebe, W. Musona (K. Twala 80th), N. Tengeg (K. Billiat 68th).
