Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in TRIANGLE
Manica Diamonds ………………………………….(0) 0
Scottland……………………………………………. (1) 3
KHAMA BILLIAT delivered the kind of performance that reminds everyone what he still brings, scoring twice and setting up a third as Scottland swept aside Manica Diamonds at Gibbo yesterday.
The champions secured their first win of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Making his first start of the campaign, Billiat led the line in the absence of Tymon Machope and ran the game with sharp movement, clever link play and ruthless finishing that Manica Diamonds could not live with.
The match took time to settle after a heavy downpour left the surface slow and awkward.
Manica Diamonds showed early intent, Kudzaishe Chikumba forcing a routine save from Nelson Chadya with a tame header on 15 minutes.
That early promise faded quickly.
Scottland struck in the 25th minute when Manica’s defence failed to deal with a dangerous delivery from Terrence Dzvukamanja.
Billiat reacted first, adjusting his body before finishing acrobatically to open the scoring.
From that moment, the visitors took control.
Aboubakar Moffat anchored the midfield with authority while Dzvukamanja and Billiat found each other with ease, repeatedly pulling the home side out of shape.
Their understanding produced the second goal five minutes into the second half, Dzvukamanja slipping Billiat through with a deft flick before the forward finished calmly for his brace.
Manica Diamonds never quite recovered.
They saw more of the ball in spells but lacked conviction in the final third.
Lawrence Masibhera combined well with Nokutenda Mangezi down the left, yet a teasing cross on 55 minutes went untouched when it needed only a touch. Bennedict Sithole then fired narrowly wide as the hosts tried to respond.
Instead, they were caught again.
Coach Norman Mapeza introduced Kingsley Mureremba on the hour mark and he made an instant impact, finishing off a flowing move after another Billiat assist to make it 3-0 and effectively end the contest with half an hour still to play.
Scottland could have stretched the margin further.
Biggie Temera kept Manica Diamonds in the game with a string of saves, while Panashe Mutimbanyoka missed a clear chance at the back post late on. Mureremba also failed to convert from close range in the closing moments.
Mapeza was satisfied with the response from his side after a slow start to the season.
“It was a good game considering the conditions,” he said. “The pitch was heavy but I told the boys to stay patient. We have been creating chances in previous matches, today we took them. That is the difference.
“We are still settling as a group but the performance was encouraging. Khama is a big player for us. I gave Knowledge a rest and asked him to play his normal game. He delivered.”
