Scottland FC commenced their Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League campaign with a win over Triangle FC, thanks to a stoppage time own goal by Blessing Chihota. Coach Tonderayi Ndiraya expressed the need for team coherence despite the individual talents in the squad. Upcoming fixtures for Match Day 1 will feature several key matchups across the league.
On Friday, Scottland Football Club secured a fortunate victory in their inaugural match of the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, overcoming Triangle FC thanks to a stoppage time own goal by defender Blessing Chihota at Rufaro Stadium. As the match approached a goalless conclusion, Chihota inadvertently assisted Scottland by chesting the ball past his goalkeeper, Hamilton Tawanda Makainganwa, securing a winning start for Scott Sakupwanya’s squad amid significant expectations due to substantial financial backing from a gold dealer.
Head coach Tonderayi Ndiraya acknowledged the challenges ahead in forging a cohesive team from the individual talents, stating, “We are not yet a team… it’s one thing to have a galaxy of stars, and it’s another thing to make them play like a team.” His comments reflect the pressure on the team to perform collectively rather than merely relying on individual star power.
Looking ahead, the premier league’s Match Day 1 will feature six additional matches on Saturday, with notable fixtures including defending champions Simba Bhora facing last year’s runners-up FC Platinum at Wadzanayi Stadium. Other matches include Herentals College versus TelOne at Rufaro Stadium and Manica Diamonds against Yadah FC at Sakubva, among others, all commencing at 3 PM.
In summary, Scottland FC’s unexpected victory through an own goal illustrates the unpredictable nature of football, accentuated by the challenges of team cohesion highlighted by their coach. As the season progresses, the dynamics within the squad will be crucial to their success in the highly competitive Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. Upcoming matches promise to further engage fans and test each team’s mettle early in the season.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
