Tawah Munthali
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWEAN champions Scottland crashed out of the CAF Champions League after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Angola’s Petro de Luanda in the return leg of their second preliminary round tie at Estadio 11 de Novembro on Friday.
Scottland went into the match carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Harare but failed to protect their lead as Petro produced a strong performance in front of their home fans to carry the day with a 3-2 aggregate win courtesy of goals from Ruben Aderitio, Jorge Perreira and Pedro Aparicio.
Aderito gave the Angolan side the opener in the 18th minute, cutting Scottland’s aggregate advantage to one goal and setting the stage for a tense encounter.
Petro continued to push forward after the break and were rewarded with a second goal in the 67th minute, with Perreira levelling the aggregate score at 2-2.
With the tie hanging in the balance the hosts struck again through Aparicio in the 85th minute to complete a 3-0 victory and secure a 3-2 aggregate win.
The result ended Scottland’s hopes of reaching the group stages in their CAF Champions League campaign, despite their impressive performance in the first leg.
For Petro de Luanda the victory secured a place in the group stages as well as a great start to life for coach Alexander Santos who began his second tenure in style after he was re-appointed midweek.
Scottland on the other hand were left to reflect on a disappointing end to their continental ambitions after surrendering a two-goal advantage.
The defeat also means Zimbabwe will have to wait for another opportunity to see a local club compete among Africa’s leading clubs at the group stage level as only four clubs Dynamos, CAPS United, FC Platinum and the now defunct Monomotapa have done so.
The side now shifts their attention to the domestic topflight as they try to defend their title with Hardrock in firm control of their destiny as they currently enjoy a five- point lead having played a game more than Scottland.
Next up for Scottland is a midweek encounter against CAPS United at Rufaro next on Thursday. They have no choice but get a positive result against a Makepekepe side that is also chasing for a top four finish.
