FC Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . (1) 3
Unbeaten run continues.., Scottland in cruise control.., The winning streak continues.., A relentless pursuit.., The juggernaut continues."
The sports journalists are rapidly running out of superlatives to describe Scottland’s current, unyielding vein of form, as the defending champions continue to swat aside everything in their path. Yesterday at Rufaro Stadium, it was the turn of newly promoted FC Hunters to be put to the sword.
Yet, while the final scoreline suggests another routine afternoon for Norman Mapeza’s relentless machine—now celebrating a historic eighth consecutive victory—the reality on the turf was a far more nuanced affair.
For long periods, the league leaders were made to sweat by a spirited opponent who just refused to lie down.
If there is one man who embodies this Scottland's recent surge of form, its midfielder Moses Shidolo.
The Namibian netted his third straight goal to start the rout, firing home a miscued headed clearance midway through the first half.
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Yet, it was a breakthrough that the visitors barely deserved.
Hunters, who had new signing Godknows Murwira signed from Scottland earlier this week on the starting line up, had mounted a remarkable early resistance against their more fancied opponents, and Shidolo’s effort was, in fact, the defending champions’ first shot on target.
Indeed, FC Hunters made them work for the points with an eye-catching, crisp passing game that delighted their supporters and neutrals alike.
The hosts created the better openings early on, with Tadiwa Huni squandering a good chance in the 20th minute—a miss that was punished moments later.
A penetrative through-pass by Khama Billiat found Knowledge Musona, whose improvised backheel was headed away tamely by a defender.
The ball fell kindly for Shidolo, who controlled it with his head before hitting the roof of the net with a sumptuous volley.
There was immediate fear that the opening goal would open the floodgates, but Hunters refused to lie down as they fought tenaciously to draw parity.
While Scottland’s quality on the pitch showed in flashes and moments—creating several fine chances through their famed attacking trident of Billiat and the Musona brothers, Knowledge and Walter—a combination of defensive solidity from the FC Hunters rearguard, wastefulness, and a bit of luck contrived to keep the home side in the game.
When it looked as though the hosts would hold on for a narrow defeat, or perhaps even fight back for a draw, two late blunders from goalkeeper Moreblessing Phiri gifted Scottland with further openings.
With two minutes of regulation time remaining, substitute Abubakar Moffat unleashed a fierce effort that the FC Hunters goalkeeper could only spill into the path of Walter.
Keeping his composure, Walter skipped past the stranded Phiri before calmly slotting into an empty net to finally end his barren scoring run.
Two minutes later, Walter completed his brace, scoring his seventh goal of the season.
Another mistake by Phiri who failed to control a Murwira back pass gifted Musona with a golden chance, and he grabbed it with both hands.
Pouncing on a loose ball, he slid into an unguarded to put the icing on the cake.
The victory completed Scottland’s double over Hunters who they beat by the same scoreline in the reverse fixture.
It was Scottland’s eighth straight league win, ensuring they keep a firm control of the title race with a strong chance to retain their league crown.
The machine coached by Mapeza is now on 46 points—eight clear of second-placed Hardrock, who have a chance to reduce the gap when they host CAPS United this afternoon.
The Kwekwe side do retain a game in hand from their abandoned match against Dynamos.
The Premier Soccer League has ordered that the final 14 minutes of that match, which was halted with the score level at 1-1, be completed at a neutral venue at Baobab Stadium, though Hardrock are currently appealing the decision.
As for FC Hunters, the defeat ended their four-match unbeaten run. They remain on 20 points in 14th position on the log standings, sitting just three points above TelOne, who occupy the final relegation cut-off point.
