Online Reporter
By Noel Munzabwa in Lobamba, Eswatini
Nsingizini Hotspurs 2-0
Scottland FC
VISITING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Scottland failed to ‘mountain climb’ past MTN Premier League champions of Eswatini, Nsingizini Hotspurs in a lukewarm international friendly match at Somhlolo National Stadium on Wednesday night.
The home side literally gave their president, Derrick Shiba a perfect and winning birthday present claiming the scalp of the Zimbabwe soccer champions.
Previously he had beaten former champions Simba Bhora in the Total Energies CAF Champions League four months ago.
Not even the wholesome halftime changes could spare Scottland from the blushes but instead Yekisizwe Khumalo’s 58th minute strike from inside the box added to Daniel Okunrinmenta’s 19th minute opener.
The match had kicked on a high tempo, with both teams pressing aggressively, creating chances and forcing impressive saves from the goalkeepers in the opening 15 minutes.
Nsingizini broke the deadlock in the 19th minute through new signing Okunrinmenta, who calmly finished a square ball into the top corner for his second goal since joining the club last month.
Despite comeback attempts the Norman Mapeza coached side found keeper Sibusiso Dlamini a stumbling block in between the sticks.
Mapeza then then wrung a wholesome team exchange which looked better charged by Knowledge Musona, Godknows Murwira among others but the harder they tried the more resilient Dlamini became.
In that series of efforts, Nsingizini Hotspurs mounted a counter attack which fell on Khumalo who doubled the lead in the 58th minute from inside the box.
Four minutes later Knowledge Musona forced out a corner off goalkeeper Sibusiso Dlamini’s save from about 20 metres.
In the 66th minute Godknows Murwira’s set piece drew out another corner.
At the end of it the visitors could not bag winning memories but nonetheless Mapeza was still impressed with the three weeks of pre-season work.
Former Nsingizini star and Eswatini international Kwakhe Thwala started for Scotland FC against his former side.
