Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
SCOTTLAND yesterday put together a disciplined show to see off a fighting Manica Diamonds at Rufaro and crawled to the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings.
With champions Simba Bhora not involved in domestic duties due to their participation in the CAF Champions League this week, the Mabvuku side will be in control of the championship marathon for at least seven days.
Captain Walter Musona led from the front, scoring the goal that made the difference just three minutes into the contest.
It was a match that Tonderai Ndiraya’s men needed to win to arrest a three-match win-less streak across two competitions and take advantage of Simba Bhora’s absence to move to the apex.
They did just that and took their tally to 56 points, one ahead of Simba Bhora, who now have a game in hand.
Ndiraya was cautious in his excitement saying, “Of course I am very happy to have seen this one off.
“It was a match in which we had to throw caution to the wind.
“We had to throw all the six players we have in the team that also play for the national team. We needed to attack and get the goals.
“I knew we would get the goals from those players and indeed Walter Musona stepped up at the right time to give us the goal that proved to be the winner.
“I cannot say just because we are now top of the log we have it in our hands, no. Simba Bhora have the control right now and we can only look at ourselves and play well going forward.
“But we really needed this win because we had gone for three consecutive games without a win. I am very happy.”
Ndiraya went for an ultra-attack formation with Kingsley Mureremba the only one to shield the four-man defence of Godknows Murwira, Kelvin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa and Albert Manenji.
Walter Musona, Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona got in front of Mureremba, supporting Terrence Dzvukamanja and Tymon Machope in a 4-1-3-2 structure.
And for once Scottland looked sharp with their forward forays always causing discomfort to their guests who remained in relegation danger after yesterday’s defeat.
And just three minutes into the match, Walter Musona volleyed home with the outside of his foot beating Tedious Baye.
The goal seemed to have opened the floodgates as the hosts threatened to dismantle the Gem Boys but the expected floodgates never opened.
Instead coach Tafadzwa Mashiri saw his charges find their way back into the game forcing Scottland to retreat and tread cautiously for the rest of the game.
But Terrence Dzvukamanja, Machope and Knowledge Musona all fluffed their lines when presented with opportunities to double the lead. Walter Musona thought he had completed his brace deep into the second half but Baye saved the effort from close range.
At the opposite end, Nelson Chadya kept Scottland in the match with three super saves.
