Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
(Scottland won 5-4 after shoot-out)
FORGOTTEN Scottland goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa was the hero of the show yesterday after producing two crucial saves in a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over a resilient Bulawayo Chiefs to send the Mabvuku outfit into the semi-finals of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup at Rufaro yesterday.
After both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time, the contest was decided from the spot, and Tafiremutsa rose to the occasion, denying Elvis Moyo and Malvern Hativagone to hand Scottland a shoot-out triumph.
The victory came as a welcome relief for Scottland, who endured a difficult afternoon against the determined Ninjas while still mourning the loss of club benefactor Wicknell Chivayo.
The hosts wore black armbands and observed a minute of silence before kick-off in honour to Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash last week alongside his wife Lucy and three other occupants.
Midfielder Aboubakar Moffat converted the decisive penalty with a superb strike into the top corner, sparking celebrations among the Scottland faithful. Veteran Knowledge Musona, Emmanuel Jalai, Walter Musona and Cameroonian forward Neville Tengeg had also converted their spot-kicks, while Mthokozisi Msebe was the only Scottland player denied from the spot by Chiefs goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza admitted his side had been pushed all the way by a spirited Chiefs outfit but was pleased to see his team progress as they continue their pursuit of a domestic double. Scottland currently lead the Castle Lager Premiership title race.
“It was a difficult game for us, although we had a few opportunities,” said Mapeza.
“Like I always say, we have to take those half chances. I think we had about two good half chances in the first half and the second half as well. Maybe with those chances we could have told a different story, but at the end of the game we went to a penalty shoot-out.
“It’s like a lottery, and I’m happy we’ve managed to go through to the next round. But I didn’t want us to go to the penalties because it would drain us a little bit. At the end of the day, we managed to win through the penalties, and I’m happy for the boys.”
Mapeza’s concerns were justified as Scottland squandered several good opportunities throughout the match.
Striker Tymon Machope should have given the hosts the lead after 19 minutes when Chiefs defender Jameson Masaza miscued a back pass, but the forward dragged his effort wide with only Magalane to beat.
Scottland came close again when defender Kelvin Moyo met a cross from Panashe Mutimbanyoka with a powerful header, only for Magalane to produce a brilliant fingertip save to push the ball over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to create openings in the second half, even after Mapeza introduced fresh legs in attack, but they failed to find the breakthrough.
Bulawayo Chiefs nearly punished them late in the game when Brian Muza found space inside the penalty area, but he fired wide from a promising position.
The visitors also appealed for a penalty after claiming the ball had struck Kwakhe Thwala’s arm, but referee Brighton Chimene waved away the protests.
With the deadlock unbroken, penalties were required to separate the teams, and Tafiremutsa seized his moment. The goalkeeper was handed a rare start, having struggled for game time since joining Scottland earlier this year. Tafiremutsa has struggled to find game time and has spent the vast majority of the season out of the match-day squad due to severe competition from fellow goalkeepers Nelson Chadya and Talbert Shumba.
Mapeza acknowledged the goalkeeper’s contributions yesterday and explained why Tafiremutsa had been relegated to the bottom of the pecking order.
“The issue was to give all these goalkeepers chances to play. That was the issue here.
“There were some other games where Prince was supposed to play, but would get sick. So I said, today, look, this is your opportunity.
“Chadya will rest, and Talbert will go on the bench, and Prince will play. He did very well for us,” said Mapeza.
Bulawayo Chiefs converted their spot kicks via Melikhaya Ncube, Clive Rupiya, Anesu Saiti and skipper Diego Musiyiwa, but that was not enough to earn them a victory.
Despite their journey in the tournament ending at the quarter-final stage, their coach John Nyikadzino was still satisfied with the strong effort from his charges.
“We played very well. We played according to our game plan. Our game plan worked, and I feel that, with a bit of precision, we should have won this match in regulation time, especially the chance that Muza missed towards the end of the game.
“And at this level, you miss such chances you get into penalties. There, it’s anyone’s game; it’s a lottery. But I would want to say I’m very happy with the performance of the players, the energy and output; they really came to the party,” said Nyikadzino.
