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Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
NEWBOYS Scottland are likely to find it difficult to escape the glare of the domestic football community for some time to come.
As they return to Rufaro this afternoon to host Bikita Minerals, the Mabvuku side is likely to be greeted by the usual hostile alliance of disgruntled Dynamos and CAPS United supporters who always find pleasure in supporting any team playing against them.
Dynamos will be away in Mutare today to face Manica Diamonds while CAPS United will play tomorrow against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro.
Scottland have attracted huge crowds to their matches, but is not always that these fans will be coming to back them. A good number is always against them as was the case when they played Triangle, CAPS United and more recently Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro.
The troubled relations between Scottland and rival supporters mostly from the Big Three are not a secret.
Last week Dynamos supporters momentarily broke into wild celebrations upon hearing that Highlanders had taken the lead against Scottland at Barbourfields.
It is unusual to see Dynamos supporters celebrating Highlanders’ success, but in this instance the Glamour Boys fans saw nothing wrong chanting the Bosso jingle.
To their delight, Scottland have not won in their last two outings, after suffering a 0-1 defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars before the 1-1 draw at Highlanders.
The Mabvuku side is under pressure to bound back to winning ways and maintain their place in the top echelons of the Castle Lager Premiership log table.
But Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya believes his team is still building up after assembling a star-studded outfit with top talents poached from rival clubs at the beginning of the season.
Scottland are currently fourth on the log standings with seven points from four games. Bikita Minerals on the other hand have been struggling and are winless in four starts.
No easy games
Dynamos coach Lloyd “Mablanyo” Chigowe was full of caution as the Glamour Boys left for Mutare yesterday for this afternoon’s clash with Manica Diamonds.
DeMbare have had a slow start and only got their first win last week when edging champions Simba Bhora 1-0 at Rufaro.
“There are no easy game for Dynamos, every team raise their tempo when they face us. We are not expecting an easy match against Manica Diamonds,” said Chigowe.
The Harare giants have encountered some injury worries to some of their key players like Freddy Alick and Tellmore Pio.
“We obviously have a plan except for Alick who is yet to recover. Pio is under medical department’s supervision,” said Chigowe.
The Glamour Boys are also worried by their lack of scoring, with the giants only managing two goals in four matches. They have reportedly acquired a Nigerian striker to boost the options, but the paperwork is yet to be completed.
FC Platinum want goals
Former champions FC Platinum, who were held to a goalless draw at Mandava by newcomers MWOS, have another test against another newly promoted side Kwekwe United at Bata this afternoon.
The platinum miners coach Norman Mapeza said the Zvishavane side will look to plug the shortcomings they noticed against MWOS.
“We have been working much on addressing those issues which I think we didn’t do well when we played against MWOS,” he told journalists.
“The guys played very well in terms of performance-wise. I’m more than happy. As you know, at the end of the day, football is about results.”
Just like Dynamos, they have two goals to show from four outings and Mapeza has charged his side to improve in the final third.
“I’m talking about scoring goals. We need some good opportunities. My biggest worry now is about scoring goals.
“We have been working . . . we have been talking to the guys. I think it’s a matter of time. It’s a matter of time.
“The goals will come. We need to be very patient. It’s all about confidence at the end of the day. We need to have confidence. I’m talking about the boys. We have been creating opportunities,” said Mapeza.
Fixtures:
Today: Manica Diamonds v Dynamos (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Herentals (Luveve), Simba Bhora v TelOne (Wadzanayi), MWOS v ZPC Kariba (Baobab), Kwekwe United v FC Platinum (Bata), GreenFuel v Yadah (GreenFuel), Scottland v Bikita Minerals (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo), CAPS Utd v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro)
Online Reporter