Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland……………….(2)2
CAPS United………………0
CHAMPIONS Scottland made their biggest move this season, in their quest to defend their title, as they downed CAPS United to move within touching distance of the leaders of the Castle Lager Premiership race.
The Scotts struck early in the first game at the renovated National Sports Stadium.
The spectators got to experience, for the first time, the modern way of attending a football match as they had their tickets scanned at electronic turnstiles while they sat at designated seats at the now 41,000-seater facility.
Of course, the facility’s renovation works are yet to be fully completed but yesterday showed just hard the country is putting in the work to bring the biggest stadium back to life.
And there was life in this game, actually.
Scottland have the same number of points as leaders Hardrock while the Green Machine are now fourth on the table.
CAPS also have the same number of points as the leaders.
Two quick-fire goals early in the half from Knowledge Musona and man-of-the-match Panashe Mutimbanyoka fired the Scotts to victory.
Under the temporary guidance of assistant coach Ian Bakala, who has been standing in for Takesure Chiragwi who is away in England with the Warriors, the Green Machine have been showing telling signs of fatigue.
The signs looked to stick with them yesterday especially after Ishmael Wadi failed to tap in Nyasha Gurende’s pin-point cross in the opening minute.
Just a few moments later, Scottland came flying, Khama Billiat audaciously setting up Musona with a back-heel pass.
The former Warriors captain rolled the ball in with his left boot.
CAPS United never realised their flaws from that incident and continued to defend with three men while Scottland had four in attack.
Each time the Mabvuku club launched attacks, they looked dangerous with more numbers and it was a pity they didn’t reap more goals from that tactical advantage.
But still they did enough to earn the points with Mutimbanyoka receiving a good through pass, to slot home Scottland’s second.
there were complaints from the CAPS United camp that he was probably in an offside position.
That was early. Perhaps too early. But just like that the match had been settled.
It was now up to CAPS United to first limit the damage.
And also try to get goals of their own.
They managed to tighten it at the back. But they never got to breach their opponents at the opposite end.
“We lapsed in concentration in the early moments of the game. That pretty much worked against us,” said Bakala.
“I thought we would have done better in avoiding those mistakes.
“That was never to be. We live to fight another day. We tried hard to come back into the game but we failed to take advantage of our moments. It’s a disappointing defeat.”
The Green Machine looked to settle in, especially after conceding the second goal.
They dominated both the ball and territory but all that never worked in their favour in the end.
Makepekepe will probably look back at this game and regret seeing such players like Takunda Benhura, Chawanangwa Kaonga and Wadi fluffing their lines.
For Scottland coach Norman Mapeza, however, the victory tasted good as they climbed to second, behind leaders Hardrockon goal difference.
Four teams are now tied on 28 points after 15 games; Hardrock, Scottland, Herentals and CAPS United with only goal difference separating them.
Mapeza said; “It wasn’t an easy game. We were playing a highly tactical team with quality players.
“I am happy that we won. But the match was tough.”
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