SCOTTS’ DEFENCE SHOWS ITS RELIABILITY

THEY say defences win championships and Tonderai Ndiraya will be clinging to that hoping that his rearguard, which has been impressive since the start of the season, could be the rock on which Scottland will build their dreams to be champions.

Scottland have the best defence in the Castle Lager Premiership, which has only conceded just FIVE goals since the start of the season.

That’s an average of a goal every three games.

FC Patinum have the second best defence, after conceding six goals, while leaders MWOS have conceded seven goals.

Scottland are yet to concede more than one goal in a match in the 15 games they have played in the Premiership.

Ndiraya is a product of Sunday Chidzambwa’s coaching manual and, for him, it’s protecting the goal which matters.

This was another game in which Scottland’s ability to give very little to opponents, in terms of goals, was the difference between a win and a drop of the points.

Ndiraya rested the bulk of his regulars, particularly those who were with the Warriors during the international break.

He benched Khama Billiat, Nathan Mutasa, Walter Musona, Godknows Murwira and Mthokozise Msebe.

Tymon Machope needed only 13 minutes to record his fourth goal of the season.

But, to their credit, the visitors, who are bottom of the table, showed a lot of fight and, after picking a point against Dynamos at Rufaro in an earlier visit, they went back wondering how they didn’t repeat that magic.

Ndiraya gave credit to his counterpart, Paul Chimalizeni, who was his assistant when he won the championship with Simba Bhora last season.

“They are doing a very good job, I have watched them before and they looked like a completely different team,” said Ndiraya.

“We started very well in the early moments of the game until we scored that goal. We then took a backseat, allowing our opponents to take control, particularly in midfield.

“This forced us to make changes, which injected a bit of life into our attack and created chances.”

Scottland are now on 26 points, five points behind the Punters, who are leading the championship race after 15 matches.

Ndiraya’s men are still waiting for the outcome of the boardroom decision following the abandonment of their week 13 fixture against Chicken Inn.

Chimalizeni insisted that he is desperate to bring in players with Premiership experience when the mid-season window opens on July1.

Midfielder Panashe Mutimbanyoka lofted the ball to Machope, who lobbed it past the advancing goalkeeper, Andile Taruvinga.

Machope failed to extend their lead with only Taruvinga in sight two minutes later.

Tadiwa Chakuchichi was denied by the crossbar just after the restart when he was picked out by the unselfish Khama Billiat -H-Metro.

*This article originally appeared in the H-Metro of June 16, 2025.