Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SCOTTLAND’S attacking trio of Khama Billiat and brothers Knowledge and Walter Musona is rapidly emerging as the most potent strike-force alliance in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The three Zimbabwe internationals have combined 24 goals after 21 rounds of action, making them the most productive attacking partnership in the league this season.
Hot on their heels is the Hardrock combination of Washington Navaya (11 goals), Wilfred Madzungu (5), and Tinashe Mashaireni (4), who have contributed a combined 20 goals for the Kwekwe-based league newcomers.
Dynamos’ attacking trio of Frank Agyemang (11), Jairo Kasondo (6), and Moses Demera (3) has also been impressive, accounting for 19 goals between them.
However, it is Scottland’s front-line that is capturing the spotlight, with Billiat and the Musona brothers peaking at a crucial stage of the campaign as the Mabvuku outfit tightens its grip on the championship race.
Former Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona underlined his return to form with a brace in Scottland’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over fellow league debutants FC Hunters at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.
The striker’s tally now stands at seven goals for the season, closing in on elder brother Knowledge, who has enjoyed a rich vein of form in recent weeks.
Knowledge Musona has produced some of his best football since returning home to wind down a distinguished career with Scottland. The veteran forward scored five goals last month, taking his season total to eight and earning the Castle Lager Premiership Player of the Month award for the first time.
Yet it is Billiat who has provided the foundation for Scottland’s title push. The former Warriors captain has scored nine goals this season, leaving him just two behind Golden Boot frontrunners Agyemang and Navaya.
Together, Billiat and the Musona brothers form the nucleus of a Scottland side that has remained unchanged over the last seven matches.
Coach Norman Mapeza says he has no reason to alter a winning formula while the team continues to deliver results.
Scottland stretched their winning run to eight consecutive matches at the weekend, remarkably without conceding a single goal during that period.
The league leaders now boast both the most prolific attack and the meanest defence in the Premiership, having scored 35 goals while conceding just six.
“So far so good. I can’t complain,” Mapeza said.
“I have heard people saying he is relying on the same team, same players, and so on. But I can only change when there are injuries.
“If there are no injuries, then we are good to go. I can only change when I feel like someone is tired, but not when there are no health issues; we are not going to change,” said Mapeza.
The former Zimbabwe international also stressed that his players have to fight for a place in the team. This extends to the new signings expected to join the team during the mid-season transfer window, the likes of Emmanuel Jalai on loan and Malawian Nickson Nyasulu, who are also not guaranteed starting places.
“Whoever is coming to this club is not guaranteed any first-team jersey. They have to fight for it just like anybody else, simple as that,” said Mapeza.
The 3-0 rout of Hunters on Saturday has helped Scottland open a five-point lead at the top of the table, and Mapeza is enjoying the progress after recovering from a slow start when he joined the team at the beginning of the season.
“I think from the word go it was a process. When you start a new project, you might encounter some hiccups, but I kept working, and the guys kept believing that maybe the right time will come.
“And I think now everybody can see that the process is now bringing some results. But we have to keep working hard and take each game as it comes,” said Mapeza.
Scottland now have 46 points and have capitalised on dropped points by their nearest challengers, Hardrock, CAPS United, and Herentals. Hardrock and CAPS United shared the spoils in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Chahwanda Stadium on Sunday, leaving the Kwekwe side second on 39 points.
But the Kwekwe side is also looking fine in front of goal, and their coach Kelvin Kaindu has refused to throw in the towel in the title race.
They have scored 33 times in 20 games, with Golden Boot holder Navaya leading the charge on 11 goals. Navaya was on target again when they drew 3-3 with CAPS United at the weekend, adding to the brace by Madzungu. Their own attacking combination of Navaya, Madzungu, and Mashaireni has returned 20 goals, four fewer than Scottland’s Billiat and the Musona siblings.
