Ndiraya sees progress

SCOTTLAND coach, Tonderai Ndiraya is happy with the progress he is seeing despite growing frustration over the three draws recorded in the last four fixtures of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Ndiraya has set Week 10 as the start of the season for Scottland saying they are currently in a team-building phase.

Scottland are currently fourth with 12 points from seven games while the last four matches have seen just one win against Bikita Minerals while three others ended in 1-1 draws against Highlanders, Yadah and FC Platinum. 

While there are those seeing wheels coming off, Ndiraya believes there is progress in the team and they will soon start winning consistently. 

“We are seven games into our first season in the league. 

“Yes, there is this noise about quality players, good players. Yes that is the situation that is obtaining, but just having those qualities doesn’t make you a team. We are still getting to being a team and hopefully by the time we hit 10 games we should start seeing something way better.

“Over the past few league games, we have seen a lot of improvement in the team, and we expect the team to keep improving and then hopefully we can catch up with those that are a team already,” said Ndiraya.

“Most of the teams in the league at the moment already had most of their players from last season unlike us. We have just met, and we only have two players from last season. So, we are completely a new side, and players with different backgrounds. 

“So it takes a bit of time to change the mentality of the players to align with the mentality of the new club and it is work in progress. We e seeing a lot of progress in what we are doing,” said Ndiraya. 

Tomorrow, Scottland face ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga worried about the weather conditions that await them after a long drive from Harare. 

It is only the second time that Scottland are travelling out of Harare, the previous only trip having been to Barbourfields in Bulawayo. 

“Its our second game out of Harare, travelling a long distance. We would really want to get maximum points, that is the wish as a team, but it is very difficult to get maximum points away after you have travelled. 

“That is what we are looking at. We know Kariba, it’s a very difficult place to go. When you go to Kariba you are not going to play football under the normal conditions. There is the distance to worry about and the weather conditions have an effect on your game more than anything else.

“If you at that and then look at the opponent it is a huge challenge. Winning under those difficult conditions in Kariba is as good as winning the league for me.”

Ndiraya is also aware of the ZPC Kariba defensive play. 

“ZPC Kariba have one of the best defences in the league. That has been ZPC Kariba over the past few years, very mean defence. The motivation is to then breach that defence and get a result. 

“We are still doing research on how they play at home, but they play with a very solid block and with the players that we have, we are motivated to go and unlock that defence and get some goals. But it’s a very difficult one, its very difficult to play against a team that is very solid in defending.”

Lawrence Moyo