Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland 2-1 Bulawayo Chiefs
ZIMBABWE champions Scottland will leave for Johannesburg today on a high, after bouncing back to winning ways at Rufaro yesterday.
Mabvirarira recovered from the 1-0 loss against Highlanders on Sunday and posted a crucial 2-1 win over Bulawayo Chiefs.
Skipper Walter Musona scored twice to take his season tally to nine, three behind leading scorer Washington Navaya of Hardrock.
The victory is a confidence booster ahead of the Toyota Cup fixture against South African giants Kaizer Chiefs at the Royal Bafokeng in Phokeng on Sunday.
The Zimbabwean champions leave for that high profile international friendly with their tails up after bouncing back to winning ways in the local league.
It was a game of many subplots.
Emmanuel Jalai made his full debut for Scottland since making a sensational loan move from Durban City during the mid season window.
Highly rated former FC Platinum defender also made his full debut, coming in for Kelvin Moyo who was red-carded against Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday.
But it was Bulawayo Chiefs midfielder Melikhaya Ncube who stole the show in the first half.
His stoppage time exquisite goal thrust the Ninjas in front.
It was a brilliant individual effort that saw him dribble past his marker before slotting the ball past Nelson Chadya.
Scottland have now conceded twice in a row after going for 10 games without being breached.
But Scottland coach Norman Mapeza is not worried.
He just wanted any kind of win yesterday.
“It was a very difficult game, we played a very organised team, defensively,” said Mapeza.
“If you look at their counter-attacks, it was perfectly coordinated.
“But at the end of the day, after coming from Bulawayo, psychologically the players would go down a little bit, but it’s the whole nature of the game.
“I said, let’s push.
“At the end of the day, I wasn’t worried about how we were going to win today.
“I wasn’t worried about it.”
When the second half resumed, Walter Musona made it 1-1, heading home a nice cross by Mtokozisi Msebe.
Musona then thrust Scottland into lead after 84 minutes, once again heading a cross but this time it was from Emmanuel Ziocha who had roasted defenders on the right channel.
Bulawayo Chiefs keeper Tinotenda Chinovhiringa failed to deal with Ziocha’s cross.
“The boys gave their all, they tried their best.
“We came with a game plan and I think the game plan worked, except for the mistakes that we made,” said Bulawayo Chiefs coach John Nyikadzino.
His plan was to catch Scottland on the counter.
“We conceded two goals from the far post.
“Then the second goal, I would say my goalkeeper should have done better in such a situation.
“That ball was harmless.
“Unfortunately, he fumbled the ball and we conceded,” added Nyikadzino.
Scottland are now on 52 points, eight ahead of Dynamos who beat FC Platinum 1-0 at Mandava yesterday.
Mabvirarira will take a break from the local Premiership next weekend as they have been invited to play Kaizer Chiefs in the annual Toyota Cup, which serves as Amakhosi’s preseason.
They are expected to leave Harare for Johannesburg this afternoon.
“If you look at our performance in the first half, I think we had some half chances, decent half chances in the first half.
“I think we kept pushing, but I don’t think there’s any rule which says we have to score in the first half,” added Mapeza.
Teams
Scottland: Chadya, Jalai, Twala, Muduhwa, Nyasulu, Moffat, Msebe, W. Musona (Dzvukamanja 90), Billiat, K. Musona (K. Mureremba 90)-, Mutimbanyoka (Ziocha 70)
Bulawayo Chiefs: Chinovhiringa, Ndlovu, Mathe (Murimi 56), Ncube, Rusinga, Moyo, Shoko, Masaza, Domingos (C. Rupiya 25’), Hamuyela (Musiyiwa 64), Chissele
