SCOTTLAND FIRE WARNING SHOTS

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

HATE them or love them, Premiership side Scottland are a team on a mission.

In just two games into the 2025 season, the new boys have made a bold statement of intent in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

While it could still be early to talk about the season’s prospects, the star-studded Mabvuku side has brought the vibe that Zimbabwean football needed.

They have created the excitement and have managed to draw huge crowds to their matches, as was the case when they hosted Triangle and on Sunday when they beat giants CAPS United 2-0 at Rufaro.

The Green Machine confirmed that 11 000 supporters paid to watch the match on Sunday despite the ticket price being raised from US$3 to $5 for the rest of the ground and US$20 for VVIP.

With some of the big names like Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, Peter Muduhwa, Tymon Machope, and Lynoth Chikuhwa on their roaster, the Mabvuku side is set to create new football rivalries, and their matches promise more exciting duels against established sides in the league.

With a huge investment in personnel and in the pre-season training, it is not a secret Scottland wants to win the league title in their maiden season.

Their coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, who was raided from Simba Bhora after leading the Shamva outfit to their maiden league title last year, seems to understand the mission.

“The investment that was done for this team is quite huge. And we can only repay the directors by getting good results. So, I’m happy for everyone, happy for the team,” said Ndiraya, following the win over CAPS United.

He was particularly impressed by the display on Sunday, which was a marked improvement from the opening fixture against Triangle when they lacked cohesion and laboured to a 1-0 win the previous week.

But the former Dynamos and Simba Bhora coach believes combinations are now coming up, and his side is now beginning to gel.

“They performed badly for reasons that I mentioned last week (against Triangle). They received all sorts of criticism. Then they came with a lot of pressure, and they produced that good performance.

“So, what more can you ask as a coach? Good show from the boys. Happy for our supporters, happy for the team, for the directors, and everyone,” said Ndiraya.

However, supporters from the traditional giants Dynamos and CAPS United have a general dislike for the new Premiership moneybags because they enticed some of their best talents to join them during the off-season.

Supporters from the two Harare giants usually do not rally in the same corner, but of late they have been open to forming alliances against Scottland.

Machope and Namibian ex-Dynamos forward Sadney Urikhob scored for the side against CAPS United. It was a match Scottland could have won by a wider margin had they been clinical in front of goal.

They squandered a glut of scoring opportunities against Makepekepe, whose goalkeeper Harmony Nare was also in brilliant form to keep the scores decent.

“I think we were very good in the final third. We created so many chances. In the end, we scored those chances.

“CAPS United, if I recall, I think we were largely in control of the game, both first and second half. But they didn’t have many chances, so to speak. So, I think we were better in the final third than CAPS United.”

But then with such a star-studded side at his disposal, Ndiraya should, under normal circumstances, be having selection headaches. He has resorted to rotating players.

“I think the task is very easy. It’s a different scenario if you don’t have an array of stars. But if you have stars, everyone has his responsibility.

“They all understand what they are expected to do. They all understand that they can’t all play at the same time. The best way is to give everyone a chance. That’s what we are going to do.

“In short, we are going to rotate our squad going forward if everyone is back and fit,” said Ndiraya. Scottland have another tough test this week as they are set to host former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro on Friday.