Scottland turn the tide in NRSL race

Takudzwa Chitsiga and Curtworth Masango

NORTHERN Region Soccer League leaders MWOS shot themselves in the foot when they dropped crucial points when playing a goalless draw at Black Mambas at Mkushi Academy grounds yesterday.

With their rivals Scottland putting relegated DZ Royal Stars to the sword with a 5-1 thumping at Rufaro, MWOS now sit very uncomfortably, enjoying just a point’s advantage over resurgent Scottland.

Scottland are still awaiting the boardroom outcome of their ill-fated encounter against Karoi United at Chikangwe.

If, as expected, Scottland end up being awarded the three points from that ill-fated match, that means the Mabvuku-based will seize control of the race with only three games before the season comes to an end.

Scottland coach Genesis Mangombe was a happy man after yesterday’s result but elected to focus on themselves while his MWOS counterpart Lloyd Mutasa is still hopeful that they can withstand the heat and remain at the top of the table.

Mutasa was, however, disappointed with their result against Mambas.

MWOS who have been in control of the title race for the better part of the season, could only afford a single shot on goal in the 90th minute.

Mutasa wants his side to regroup and refocus on the title challenge.

“It was a tough encounter and we are not happy with the result as it has left us with a lot of work to do,’’ Mutasa said.

“We did not play our best game and we failed to create chances and by that, we could not expect to get the much-needed goals.

“It is now in the hands of the lord and we will not lose hope at the moment.

“We did not underrate our opponents but they did well and managed to get a draw. The players need to refocus and take the next game seriously and get the result,” said Mutasa.

Black Mambas coach Newsome Mutema was satisfied with the point they eked out.

“We are happy with the result as my target was to get the team out of relegation and we are on the right path to do so.

“We played well and my defence stood resolute to repeal all the opponents’ threats.

“The team managed to keep shape and we are now looking forward to the next matches and finish the season strongly.

“We are playing as a unity and I am happy that we have a team that is a mixture of youth and experience which gives us balance as a team. There is still a lot of work that we need to do so that we finish the season on a high note,” said Mutema.

The match was a balanced affair with MWOS dominating proceedings from the start but they found the Warumwa Warumwa defence of Tendai Chinungo and Phenius Chikurupati resolute.

At Rufaro, goals from Denver Mukamba, Jacob Nyakope, Ronald Pfumbidzai, King Nadolo, and Allan Gahadzikwa were enough to give Scottland the huge victory they had sought.

Ronald Makoni scored the consolation goal for DZ Royal.

Scottland coach Genesis Mangombe said he was delighted with the team’s fighting spirit.

He hopes that his side will keep their momentum in their search for the sole ticket to the Premiership.

“I am very happy with the win, the boys showed great fighting spirit,’’ said Mangombe.

The five goals they scored ensured that each payer got an extra US$1 000 in lien with a pledge from Scottland president Pedzisai “Scott’’ Sakupwanya.

Mangombe believes it was a good strategy to motivate the team.

“It was a very good strategy. Everyone needed the money.

“The boys were training very well and I knew that we were going to score goals.

“It’s still a long way, we still have nine points to play for and it’s not going to be easy.

“But if we need to win the championship, we have to win all our remaining games and the boys are managing to score which is positive,’’ he said.

Mangombe said they are eagerly awaiting the outcome of their abandoned game against Karoi.

“We have to wait and see but we thought the ruling was out already but we don’t know what’s delaying the outcome’’.

Mukamba opened the scoring in the third minute after being set by Leeroy Mavhunga.

Nyakope grabbed the second of the eighth minute.

Pfumbidzai made it the third in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, Scottland missed several chances to extend their lead with Cleopas Dube failing to hit the target with the keeper to beat in the 52nd minute followed by Nadolo and Mavhunga.