Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi was at Rufaro last Sunday when the star-studded newcomers, Scottland, upstaged giants CAPS United in a fiercely contested Castle Lager Premiership match.
He was accompanied by national team coach Michael Nees, as the two were on a mission to take a final look at some of the local players they intended to call up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Eventually, six of the nine locally based players were selected from Scottland, cementing their status as one of the strongest teams in the country.
This afternoon, Chiragwi is expected to return to the same venue, fully aware of what to expect as his Ngezi Platinum Stars face the Mabvuku side.
This could ultimately prove to be another tough test for the newcomers, who have so far passed with flying colours, having faced Triangle and CAPS United in their opening two league games.
Ngezi Platinum Stars, who won their only league title in 2023 under Chiragwi, have started the season on a promising note. They secured a point away to newly promoted Kwekwe United before clinching a 1-0 victory over GreenFuel at home last week.
The Mhondoro side boasts a competitive squad featuring players such as Obrey Chirinda, Malvin Gaki, Farai Madhanaga, Richard Hachiro, Nyasha Gurende, and former Golden Boot winner Takunda Benhura.
However, Scottland arguably have even greater quality, having raided the transfer market during the pre-season to strengthen their squad with some of the league’s best players.
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya admitted that he was spoilt for choice due to the depth of his squad. Six of his players, led by Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, Mthokozisi Msebe, Godknows Murwira, Tymon Machope, and Peter Muduhwa, are expected to leave for national team duty soon after the match.
Ndiraya indicated that he would be rotating players as he works towards building a strong unit. Despite a strong start, which saw them win both games against highly competitive sides Triangle and CAPS United, he believes Scottland are still a work in progress.
“We’re still in the process of building a team,” he said.
“Hopefully, in the next few matches, after a few games, the players will start to understand each other.
“They will begin to play as a team and ultimately last the distance. At the moment, there’s nothing to talk about apart from certain individuals who came from other teams.
“There’s nothing to discuss apart from mentioning Khama himself in his individual capacity, as well as Walter Musona, Mthokozisi Msebe, and Tymon Machope in theirs. But of course, football is all about quality, if you ask me.
“With quality, what we expect from the squad at the moment is for those individuals to perform and deliver results.
“At least we are in the process of building a team. So in the next few games, we’ll be talking about a different story.
“But as of now, there’s nothing much to say. We are still a new team, newly assembled, and still getting to understand each other. In terms of our preparations, I have no complaints, despite the rains.”
Scottland are the only team with a 100 percent winning record. However, the situation at the top of the table could change overnight should Ngezi Platinum Stars prevail.
derick.khumalo