Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland……………………………………………….(0) 1
Nsingizini Hotspurs…………………………………….. 0
NORMAN Mapeza says Scottland still have a mountain to climb after taking a slender lead in their debut appearance in the CAF Champions League at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Second-half substitute Neville Tengeg rescued the day when he scored the decisive goal in the 66th minute to hand the Zimbabwean champions a narrow advantage.
The return leg is set for Somhlolo National Stadium in Eswatini this coming weekend.
While jubilant scenes greeted the final whistle at the National Sports Stadium, Mapeza remained focused on the bigger picture, insisting his side still faces a tough assignment away from home.
The former Zimbabwe international acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, especially after the visitors were reduced to 10 men as early as the third minute, when defender Kingsley Mkwakyi was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Moses Shidolo.
Mapeza welcomed the victory but felt Scottland should have taken greater advantage of their numerical superiority and built a much healthier cushion before the second leg.
However, Nsingizini Hotspurs proved they were no pushovers.
“If you look at our performance in the first half, after they got that red card, I thought we were going to do better. But I think they were very solid.
“They looked very, very organised at the back.
“And when you’re playing a team which is sitting deep, it’s very important to be more creative, especially in the final third.
“But that creativity wasn’t there, especially in the first half,” said Mapeza.
He added:
“We created a little bit, but it wasn’t enough. In the second half, we made those changes during the break and I think we really started to play.
“But usually playing against a 10-man team, it’s very difficult because those guys will fight for their lives.
“At the end of the day, we won. I’m happy but I think we could have done better. We had two good opportunities, especially in the second half. We were talking of 3-0, maybe 2-0.
“But look, it’s a win. I’m grateful. Then it’s for us to make sure we sit down and plan properly as we continue with this journey when we go to Eswatini.”
The victory was rewarded with a US$100,000 bonus from the club’s benefactor, Wicknell Chivayo, who celebrated the result with the players after the final whistle.
Tengeg, introduced at the start of the second half, justified Mapeza’s tactical switch by scoring the match-winning goal to ensure the Mabvuku-based side carry a precious advantage into the return encounter.
The visitors suffered an early setback when Mkwakyi received his marching orders just three minutes into the contest, but Scottland struggled to capitalise despite dominating possession for long periods.
Missing influential forward Knowledge Musona through injury, the home side lacked a cutting edge in the opening half.
Scottland appealed strongly for a penalty on the half-hour mark after the ball appeared to strike Luyanda Nhlengetewa’s hand, but referee Sikhumbuzo Patrick Gasa waved play on.
To their credit, the Eswatini side remained organised despite playing with 10 men and successfully frustrated Scottland for much of the contest.
Nsingizini Hotspurs head coach, Mandla David Qhogi, said they were forced to adjust their game plan after the incident.
To their credit, they managed to keep shape despite playing a man down, with the first half ending goalless.
Mapeza made a double substitution at the restart, bringing in goalscorer Tengeg and Emmanuel Ziocha in place of Khama Billiat and Panashe Mtimbanyoka.
The move paid the dividends as Tengeg finally broke the deadlock after 66 minutes, when he controlled the ball inside the penalty box and fired a low shot that went in with the help of the upright.
Team line-ups:
Scottland:
Nelson Chadya, Emmanuel Jalai, Moses Shidolo, Peter Muduhwa, Kelvin Moyo, Khwake Thwala, Mthokozisi Msebe, Walter Musona, Khama Billiat (Neville Tengeg, 46th min), Abubakar Moffat, Panashe Mtimbanyoka (Emmanuel Ziocha, 46th min)
Nsingizini Hotspurs:
Sibusiso Dlamini, Siyabonga Mkhonto (Thulani Jingana, 52nd min), Njongo Mazibuko (Mvuselel Mthethwa, 90th min), Quality Dlamini, Innocent Pakule, Kingsley Mkwakyi, Bongiswa Dlamini, Luyanda Nhlengetewa, Vuyo Macina, Nkosingiphile Shongwe, Sinenkosi Dlamini
