Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE football kings Scottland are not leaving anything to chance in their preparations for the CAF Champions League tie against Nsingizini of Eswatini and have quickly settled down at their temporary base in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In a move aimed at ensuring maximum focus, as it is also targeted at acclimatising to the kind of weather and playing conditions they are likely to encounter in Eswatini, Scottland flew to Johannesburg on Monday evening.
And they immediately got down to business at their base in the South African commercial capital.
The Mabvuku side carry a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday, where Cameroonian forward Neville Tengeg scored the lone goal.
The return fixture will be played on an artificial surface at Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini’s royal capital, about 20km from the administrative capital, Mbabane.
Cub spokesperson George Munengwa said they opted for an early departure to ensure the team gets an opportunity to focus and train on artificial surfaces before crossing into Eswatini.
“Basically, this camp is about focus and trying to bring victory back home. So, the team is training in South Africa where there are facilities similar to the Astro-turf that we expected to play our match on Saturday.
“Our team is not used to such surfaces because we play on grass pitches here. So, they will simply be familiarising with the artificial surfaces since they present different playing conditions,” said Munengwa.
Artificial turf differs from natural grass surface in that it alters ball roll speed, forces an unnaturally high or erratic ball bounce, and completely changes tactical passing pacing.
The structural hardness of artificial turf compared to natural soil increases the shock impact on players’ joints, leading to accelerated muscular fatigue, lower back strain, and a significantly higher risk of severe friction burns and injury.
But Nsingizini will be drawing confidence from the fact that they are returning to a familiar environment, the same venue where they eliminated 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League winners Simba Bhora at the same stage of the Champions League last year.
Against Simba Bhora, the Eswatini side also trailed 1-0 from the first leg in Francistown, Botswana.
That was just a few weeks after the ground had been provisionally cleared by CAF last year to host international matches again, ending a six-year absence from continental football.
Somholo National Stadium in Mbabane had been barred from staging Category A international fixtures since 2019 after failing to meet required standards.
Aware of the challenges associated with playing on a different surface, Scottland are leaving nothing to chance in their preparations.
The team left Zimbabwe on Monday and intensified training sessions in Johannesburg yesterday. They are expected to travel to Eswatini tomorrow, with plans for a final training session at the match venue on Friday.
“The camp was necessary. Tentatively, the team will travel to Eswatini on Thursday because we also need to have a practice session at the match venue on Friday,” said Munengwa.
Scottland’s preparations have received a morale boost after players reportedly received a US$100 000 bonus package from club benefactor Wicknell Chivayo.
However, the team’s medical department continues to monitor the fitness of key players.
Veteran forward Knowledge Musona remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while star midfielder Khama Billiat is being assessed after experiencing discomfort following Sunday’s first leg.
“The mood among the players is very encouraging, especially after receiving their bonuses and also after holding conversations with club president, Scott Sakupwanya.
“Definitely, the team is expecting positive results, and they are working hard in preparation for that. We would want to make history by advancing to the next stage of the competition in our debut competition.
“Winning comes with a lot of other things, like national pride and increased confidence from the various stakeholders.
“Remember, we are not just flying our own flag in this competition, but also the national flag. So we have to do it for Zimbabwean football,” said Munengwa.
Meanwhile, Scottland are considering facilitating travel arrangements for supporters wishing to attend the match in Eswatini to boost morale support from the terraces.
“Definitely we need the 12th man. I think you saw it with Nsingizini Hotspurs that they travelled with three buses of supporters.
“We also need our supporters, and it’s something that we are set to bring up at the meeting today (yesterday), and the agreed arrangements will be communicated through our official media channels to give those that intend to travel enough time,” said Munengwa.
Scottland have ambitions of emulating the likes of Dynamos, CAPS United, FC Platinum and Monomotapa who reached the group stage of the Champions League.
But only DeMbare hold the local record of advancing beyond the group stage, having reached the 1998 final under Sunday “Mhofu’’ Chidzambwa and ending in the semi-finals 10 years later, when being coached by the late David Mandigora
