Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
APART from the glitz and glamour of a galaxy of arguably the best footie stars available on the local scene, Sakubva Stadium is expected to reverberate to the sounds of a ballooning Scottland FC support base when Manica Diamonds hosts the big-name squad tomorrow (Saturday).
Such is the imposing figure that Scottland FC has cut since their promotion into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, a feat the flamboyant outfit earned, thanks to some fair-weather fans shifting allegiance from other clubs to don the Mabviravira colours – exuding pride and allegiance – that still has to pass the test of time.
About events on the field of play, Scotland are coming to Mutare at a time the not-so-shiny Gem Boys would have preferred a different opponent other than the second-placed outfit.
Since their humiliating 1-4 thrashing at the hands of champions last month, Simba Bhora, Manica Diamonds have not won a single match in the last four rounds of Castle Lager Premiership matches.
They have dropped points through a second half syndrome that borders on sheer lack of staying power.
In their recent matches, Manica Diamonds’ decline in performance continuously experienced in the second half after a promising start – often taking the lead in the first half and later giving in to settle for a share of spoils, much to the chagrin of their legions of fans and the evidently stressed technical department.
On the hand, Scotland come to Mutare while on fire, and they know that.
Scotland secretary general, Fortune Bwogni said they have activated all their supporters’ chapters across the country to ensure that they make the most of the 12th man against Manica Diamonds at Sakubva Stadium.
“We are aware of the task ahead, and as usual we have activated all our supporters across the nation to ensure that they come out in their numbers for the match in Mutare. It is also going to be an emotional encounter for us considering that our director (Scot Pedzisai Sakupwanya) hails from Mutare. We would not want to humiliate him in front of his kinsmen. This is going to be our first match at Sakubva Stadium, hence we need to make a lasting impression from the word go. Overall, this promises to be an exciting encounter,” said Bwogni.
The plot becomes even more tricky for Manica Diamonds when one considers that their former striker, Michael Tapera is the one who did all the damage in their last victory against Simba Bhora.
It took just 14 minutes for Tapera to light up Rufaro Stadium.
Off the bench and onto the scoresheet, twice, Tapera delivered a devastating late double, including a goal that might go down as the finest seen in Zimbabwe’s topflight league in years.
The match had remained goalless deep into the second-half, both sides clogging the midfield and failing to find a breakthrough.
A defensive lapse gifted Tapera, lurking in the box, a loose ball.
With predatory instinct and composure, he drilled it home with 10 minutes to play.
Simba Bhora, desperate to claw their way back, committed men forward.
But it only played into Tapera’s hands.
Collecting the ball in his own half, just three minutes after his opener, the former Manica Diamonds winger launched a solo run that will live long in memory.
Slaloming past defenders with balletic ease, Tapera ignored the option to pass, noticed goalkeeper, William Thole off his line, and unleashed a long range rocket that screamed into the top corner.
A goal fit for a global stage.
Even Scotland coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, facing his former club with whom he won the title last year, praised his match winner.
“Tapera is one man who can give you the balance, as he showed today (Sunday) by deciding the match,” said Ndiraya.
Online Reporter