Ndiraya Breaks Baobab Curse in Fiery Scottland Upset
Don Makanyanga in Mhondoro-Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum Stars………………….1
Scottland………………………………….2
BAOBAB drama.
That’s the only way to sum up a chaotic, breathless clash that had everything, a kit clash delay, three goals in the opening 10 minutes, and a red card before halftime, as Scottland stunned Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-1 to record their first top flight victory outside Rufaro Stadium.
It was an afternoon of firsts, and one to remember for Tonderai Ndiraya, who finally tasted victory at his former fortress since leaving the Platinum Boys in 2018.
Ngezi started with purpose and were rewarded inside five minutes. A defensive lapse by Scottland gifted Obriel Chirinda possession, and he unselfishly squared it to McDonald Makuwe who tapped in with ease for the opener.
But before the home fans could settle, the visitors struck back, twice.
Straight from the restart, Scottland hit on the counter and Mtokozisi Msebe volleyed home a stunner from the edge of the box. Barely five minutes later, the midfielder completed his brace, again on the break, as Ngezi’s high line was punished.
With just 10 minutes played, it was 2–1. Chaos had taken hold.
Still, Ngezi pushed. But in the 36th minute, a heated moment brought the contest to boiling point. Former Highlanders captain Peter Mudhuwa chopped down Chirinda as the last man, drawing an initial yellow from referee Arnold Ncube. However, after consultation with the fourth official, the card was upgraded to a straight red.
“I thought it was a professional foul,” Ndiraya said afterward. Chiragwi, however, fully backed the dismissal.
Forced into a reshuffle, Ndiraya brought on Kevin Moyo to shore up the backline, and the move paid off.
Despite being a man down, Scottland defended with grit, changing into an all white kit for the second half to end the confusing colour clash that had delayed kickoff by five minutes.
Still, Ngezi dominated possession and territory but couldn’t crack the resolute 10 man visitors. Chirinda was lively, Makuwe threatened, but the equaliser never came.
For Ngezi coach Takesure Chiragwi, it was a bitter defeat.
“We accept the loss, it’s part of the game,” said Chiragwi. “Of course we wanted to win, but that’s how football is. Today we lost the battle, and the war.”
He was also left frustrated by the jersey mix-up.
“All three goals today came during the time when both teams were in similar colours, it caused confusion. I don’t know why it was such a battle to enforce the basic rules. But at the end of the day, they benefited, and we lost.”
Meanwhile, Ndiraya was jubilant, and understandably so.
“It was a day full of drama, but what matters most is that we got the three points,” said the former Warriors assistant coach.
“To get those points here at Baobab, trust me, that’s no small feat. This place is tough. I know it. I worked here. But today, we showed character.”
Scottland’s top flight story began with frustration and false starts, but this victory marks a turning point. And for Ndiraya, the ghost of Baobab is finally laid to rest.
Line-ups
Ngezi Platinum Stars: M. Chang, Q. Amini, G. Chirwa, M. Mukumba, B. Katumba, F. Madhanaga, O. Chirinda, T. Chamboko, M. Gaki, M. Makuwe.
Scottland: K. Shangwa, P. Mudhuwa, K. Mureremba, G. Madhake, M. Msebe, W. Musona, A. Maneji, T. Machope, M. Shidolo.
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