Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 3
Triangle United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CHAMPIONS Scottland have struck a purple patch just when it matters most.
The flamboyant Mabvuku side moved to the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings after seeing off the challenge of 10-man basement side Triangle United at Rufaro yesterday.
It is the first time in their title defence this season that Scottland, who now have 34 points from 17 games, have shot to the summit of the league, their triumph helping them open a two-point lead over the chasing pack of Hard-rock and CAPS United, who both stumbled to draws on Wednesday.
Veterans Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat struck before Ghanian import Mohammed Issaka sealed the victory.
It was Musona’s fifth goal in four matches.
The win came after Triangle defender Enock Karembo was sent off in the eighth minute for a professional foul on Billiat, who had burst clear on goal and had already drawn goalkeeper Panashe Nyabunga off his line as he looked to pull the trigger.
But until Karembo’s desperate challenge cost him dearly, Triangle, who anchor the standings with just nine points, had seemed to be holding their own.
In fact, Scottland struggled to break down a resolute Triangle defence for much of the first half despite the numerical advantage.
As well as putting Mabvuravira pretty much in a competitive position where they stand a good chance of defending the championship, the Scottland players will now also receive a US$5 000 windfall each as promised by their owner, Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya.
The club president pledged to reward the players handsomely if they ended the first half of the season on top of the log, which they have done.
It’s an upgrade from where Scottland were last season when they were second to rivals MWOS at the halfway stage.
But after close competitors CAPS United and Hardrock dropped points in their respective draws on Wednesday, it was up to Norman Mapeza and his charges to take full advantage.
It was never difficult for them, not least after defender Karembo’s expulsion.
The balance of play, which had looked somewhat level in the initial stages, immediately shifted in Scottland’s favour.
This is a well-drilled team with unmatched quality, and once they earned that numerical edge with the dismissal of Karembo, they made maximum use of their advantage.
Yet, it literally took ages for them to finally break the ice even after fashioning out good chances.
With the visitors looking intact at the back where Jordan Pedra was solid, the match was almost heading to the break level.
But Musona, with his predatory form, had other ideas when sprinting down to press a surprisingly advancing Nyabunga right at the centre circle.
With Nyabunga falling down out of desperation to clear his mess, the ball found its way to the feet of Billiat, who swiftly released it for Musona to roll the ball into an empty net.
The script immediately changed.
Triangle started to panic even more.
Scottland kept on pinning their opponents down.
But the half-time whistle delayed the slaughter.
Triangle coach Lloyd Chitembwe’s half-time pep talk worked for a while upon resumption.
The guests were no longer that panicky.
They rotated the ball with purpose, and their high press through Nyasha Chintuli and Jayden Bakare for once looked to be working.
But it still came down to quality, as Chitembwe would agree in his post-match interview.
A lapse in the midfield allowed Scottland to pick the ball up, and a one-two between Panashe Mutimbanyoka and Billiat saw the latter coming face-to-face with Nyabunga.
Billiat doesn’t miss from those situations. Coolly, he darted and slotted home.
The match was virtually in bed after that.
Triangle never looked to come back into it even as they tried to push more men forward.
They did have the ball in the opponent’s 16-yard box, Bakare’s effort saved by goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, but that was all about their attack. Blunt.
But the more they laboured to get the consolation, the more they exposed their backs.
They were always going to be punished. And it was Issaka who raced down the channel and slotted at the near post to end the game as a triangle, with just nine points in 17 outings, remained at the base of the table.
“Yeah, I think we played well, well, and the turning point was when they got that red card,” said Mapeza.
“I am happy for the boys, I am happy for everyone at Scottland. It was a good game with everything in it.
“Certainly, I am happy for the boys. They played well, well, and the quality was showing.”
Chitembwe was disappointed with the result.
“I thought we played well in the first half but fizzled out in the second. But the quality at Scottland is a huge factor always.”
But there is no time to rest as Premiership action resumes this weekend with all the 18 teams facing teams they played on Match Day One.
