Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
SCOTTLAND turned to their trusted troops to shrug off stubborn ZIFA Northern Region Soccer League side FC Oden 3-0 in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 match at the Baobab yesterday.
Second half substitutes Moses Shidolo and Mthokozisi Msebe scored two goals in the 75th and 77th minutes to end FC Oden’s resistance.
Another second half substitute, Knowledge Musona, made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in time added on to secure what had been the expected result when the draw was made.
But the Zimbabwe champions had to be patient after a frustrating first half, which included a missed penalty when new Brazilian import Anderson Cardoso de Campos crashed his effort against the upright, just before the halftime whistle.
With SEVEN Premiership teams – Dynamos, Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Simba Bhora, MWOS, AGAMA and ZPC Kariba – having been knocked out between Friday and Sunday, Scottland went into the match facing a stubborn side that had been inspired by earlier results.
Coach Norman Mapeza said they had to dig deep.
“It was a good game of football. Look, it’s not easy playing against these sides and I think we all saw what happened in the last two days.
“We had to dig deep to get this result and I am happy that we managed to produce the result.”
Mapeza made changes to his starting line-up and brought in veteran Talbert Shumba in goal, Albert Manenji at left back, Emmanuel Jalai at right back while Issaka Mohamed and Kelvin Moyo completed the defence.
The remaining members of the starting XI were Aboubakar Moffat, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Emmanuel Ziocha, Kingsley Mureremba, Tengeg and De Campos.
Regulars like goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, Peter Muduhwa, Shidolo, Msebe, Kwakhe Thwala, Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat were kept on the bench to be summoned when the need arose.
And, indeed, they were summoned in the second half as Mapeza made the changes, throwing in his trusted heavyweights to reach the Round of 16 in the country’s richest knockout tournament.
Completing the Round of 16 line-up were MWOS Under 19, who beat Chatidhege 3-1 at Ngoni and Chilli FC who won 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time against Aqua Stars at Luveve.
Ironically, MWOS Under-19 will be in the Round of 16 draw while their main team, MWOS, fell at the first hurdle.
Lloyd Mutasa’s men were beaten 0-1 at home by a Herentals side who are having their best run in the domestic Premiership.
Munhumutapa Challenge Cup
Round of 32
Yesterday
Aqua Stars 2-2 Chili FC
(2-4 on penalties)
FC Oden 0-3 Scottland
MWOS Under-19 3-1 Chatidhege
Saturday
Black Rock 0-0 Highlanders
(5-3 on penalties)
Chicken Inn 0-0 Ngezi Platinum
(4-5 on penalties)
Marere FC 0-1 FC Platinum
Norton Big Boys 1-3 FC Hunters
Scottland Under-19 0-6 Caps United
Simba Bhora 1-1 Manica Diamonds
(5-6 on penalties)
TelOne 1-1 Blanket Mine
(3-4 on penalties)
ZPC Kariba 0-3 Triangle
Friday
Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 AGAMA
Gwanda Pirates 0-0 Jordan
(1-3 on penalties)
Kwekwe United 0-1 Hardrock
Hwange 1-0 Dynamos
MWOS 0-1 Herentals
ROUND OF 16
Blanket Mine, Black Rock, Bulawayo Chiefs, Caps United, Jordan, FC Hunters, FC Platinum, Hardrock, Herentals, Hwange, Manica Diamonds, Ngezi Platinum, Triangle, MWOS Under-19, Chilli FC, Scottland
