Online Reporter
Robson Sharuko
Metros Editor
SCOTTLAND’S sixth straight win, without conceding a goal, at a place where they handed the hosts their first home loss of this season, demonstrated why the champions are favourites to defend their crown.
This was supposed to be their biggest test, on the road, and that they passed it with flying colours showed just why the Mabvuku side have gathered so much steam, in recent weeks, they seem to be powering to another success story.
A 2-0 win at Baobab, against a Ngezi Platinum Stars side which has been allergic to defeat at home this season, was another beautiful exhibition of the sheer quality of this Scottland side.
Admittedly, they took time to gel and find their rhythm, after the huge changes in personnel which happened during the off-season, but they have now hit their stride.
And, Mapeza has finally found his first team, after months of experiments.
The defence remains uncompromising.
Just six goals conceded in 19 games, and no goal conceded in the last half-a-dozen games, with goalkeeper Nelson Chadya and his defenders passing all their examinations.
That Godknows Murwira, a man considered good enough for the Warriors, cannot force his way into the first XI, with Issak Mohammed doing very well at rightback, tells the story of the quality in their side.
The midfield is quite effective and that Aboubacar Moffat, a man who is also considered good enough for the Warriors, cannot force his way into the first XI, also tells another story of the quality in this side.
Midfielder Moses Shidolo, the Namibian workhorse, has been one of the stars of this team.
And, on Saturday, he scored the opening goal with a crisp shot, his location, inside the box, providing another example of why he is such an effective box-to-box warrior.
Then, there is the BMW (Billiat, Musona, Walter) upfront.
Billiat scored the insurance goal, after Knowledge Musona’s cross had been headed onto the crossbar by a Ngezi Platinum defender in his desperation to clear.
The Smiling Assassin also had an excellent chance to give himself a goal as a birthday present.
Walter Musoma, the skipper, has been shot of goals, of late, and missed another sitter on Saturday, but his leadership qualities keep shining through.
To be fair to Ngezi, who are a far better team than they were last season, they had some good opportunities. But they fluffed them, heading wide from excellent positions, which could have changed the script had they converted one of them.
They also had a great chance, at the back post, only for two players to go for the same ball and, in the process, disturb each other.
But, had all the good chances which were created, and missed, been converted, Scottland would still have emerged the winners of this contest because, in key moments, they were the better team.
It’s not something we are going to write about many teams which will take on this Ngezi Platinum side, either at Baobab or elsewhere, this season.
Scottland have lost just one game this season, a 1-2 home defeat at the hands of Simba Bhora at Rufaro and, in many of their matches, they never seem to be any closer to losing.
It appears the opponents come into battle trying to avoid defeat, rather than try to go for a victory, and that psychological advantage, coupled with the quality in this Scottland team, combine to give the champions victories.
Chicken Inn, CAPS United, Herentals, Triangle, Hardrock and Ngezi Platinum Stars have all failed to score against the champions in their last six games.
All of them have conceded, at least, two goals.
When one considers that four of those teams – CAPS United, Hardrock, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Herentals – are considered to be their direct rivals for the championship, it tells you why the Mabvuku side are favourites for the league crown.
