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Curtworth Masango, Sports Reporter
AMBITIOUS sides Scottland and MWOS clinched comfortable 2-0 wins in their respective Northern Region Soccer League top-of-the-table clashes in Harare yesterday.
Scottland scored quick second half goals to silence log leaders Black Rhinos at Rufaro, while MWOS scored two goals in two first half minutes to beat Herentals Under-20 in a midday kick-off at the Mkushi Academy Grounds.
As a result, Black Rhinos’ lead at the top was reduced to just one point as MWOS moved into second place ahead of Harare City, who visit Trojan Stars today and will reclaim position on goal difference if they win.
Scottland, who have played a game more, joined Harare City on 38 points, but remain fourth due to an inferior goal difference.
There was a decent crowd at Rufaro with the hosts enjoying the majority of support, a significant number of fans having travelled from Mabvuku where Scottland belong.
Second half goals from Jacob Nyakope and Dumisani Kupane were enough for Scottland to collect the much needed points to close the gap with top placed sides and stay in contention.
Speaking after the match, Scottland coach William Nyasulu said his intel on the Black Rhinos formations helped him to collect maximum points.
“I grew up at Rhinos, and I knew all the formations that we used to play at the club as Yabo was our coach too back then,” he said.
“So I had a lot of confidence that we were going to win this game.
“This win makes us four points behind log leaders going in the second half.
Nyasulu said they are looking forward to add more five experienced players in their squad as the competition thickens.
“This first half was a matter of perseverance and we now need to boost up our squad for the second half and compete with teams like Black Rhinos.
“But as for today, we just managed to contain their formation and win the game, but come second round we are promising fireworks.
“We have put ourself in the title race and we are now quite sure that we will win the title,” he said.
Meanwhile, MWOS won the game through captain Christopher Samakwere who pounced on a loose ball after the goalkeeper spilled a free-kick in the 25th minute.
Exciting Nigel Matinha, who found himself unmarked on the far post, sealed the win just over a minute later, blasting home a cross from the left.
MWOS coach, Lloyd Mutasa was thrilled by the win against a Herentals Under-20 side they failed to beat last season.
“It was a big win for us against a side we failed to beat last year. We lost 1-0 in Harare and then drew 1-1 in Norton. So collecting three points away is a good win for us.
“Also, it was our fourth win on the trot and we have scored eight goals against zero. This has kept us in touch with the leaders after that difficult run early June.”
With the league, also known as the Zifa Northern Region Division One, going on a two-week break, Mutasa would have loved to continue.
“The break has come when we are on a good run and that is obviously disappointing in terms of momentum. However, it is something that has to happen and we just need to keep working and stay in shape.”
MWOS might raid the transfer market during the break as they need a reliable goalscorer for the tougher second half of the season.
Although they have scored the most goals so far, MWOS do not have a reliable hitman and have goals coming from different scorers.
“We might add two or three players, but otherwise the team is good. Some of the players who were not playing early in the season are now playing and that is why we are improving.
“So we might look for a reliable scorer as we will need to maximise on chances that come our way in the second half of the season.”
Online Reporter