Scottland..............0
MWOS FC..............0
Referee Quedisani Dirwai found himself at the centre of controversy after denying MWOS FC what appeared to be a clear late penalty as league leaders Scottland FC escaped with a goalless draw in a pulsating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The controversial decision ultimately proved decisive, allowing Scottland to salvage a point in one of the most entertaining and fiercely contested matches of the season.
Coming into the fixture, Scottland were overwhelming favourites. Norman Mapeza's defending champions enjoyed a four-point lead at the top of the table, with a game in hand, while MWOS arrived in Harare languishing in 10th place.
However, league positions counted for little in a rivalry that has steadily grown since the two clubs battled fiercely for promotion from the Northern Region Soccer League two years ago.
MWOS showed no signs of intimidation, matching the champions pound for pound throughout the contest and creating the better opportunities, particularly in the opening half.
The defining moment arrived in the closing stages.
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After Scottland goalkeeper Nelson Chadya spilled Nigel Makumbe's powerful long-range effort, substitute Marceline Mlilo reacted quickest to the loose ball. As Mlilo attempted to pounce on the rebound, Chadya clipped the forward inside the penalty area, sending him tumbling.
The visitors immediately appealed for a penalty, but Dirwai waved play on despite what looked to be genuine contact.
His decision sparked furious protests from the MWOS bench and quickly became the biggest talking point of an otherwise enthralling encounter.
Earlier, MWOS had threatened to stun the home crowd almost immediately. Straight from kick-off, Wilson Mensah found space for an early strike, but Chadya produced a superb acrobatic save.
Scottland responded with Abubakar Moffat forcing Francis Tizayi into an excellent stop after 10 minutes, but it was MWOS who continued to fashion the clearer opportunities.
Mensah was denied again later in the first half as Chadya pulled off an outstanding double save to keep the champions level.
While Scottland enjoyed slightly more possession before the interval, Lloyd Mutasa's youthful side looked more dangerous whenever they surged forward.
The hosts emerged with greater urgency after the restart as Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat both came close to breaking the deadlock in the opening exchanges of the second half.
Yet MWOS refused to buckle, with captain Valentine Katsande marshalling the defence superbly. The experienced defender delivered a commanding performance that earned him the Man of the Match award, while goalkeeper Francis Tizayi was equally impressive with several crucial saves.
Scottland threw everything forward in search of a winner, but the visitors stood firm before feeling aggrieved by the late penalty decision that denied them a chance to claim a famous victory.
The result saw Scottland move to 53 points, although their lead at the summit was reduced to just two points after second-placed Hardrock hammered Manica Diamonds 3-0.
MWOS, meanwhile, climbed two places to eighth on the table with 35 points from 26 matches.
Mutasa praised his players for standing toe-to-toe with the defending champions.
"First I would like to say glory to God for affording us the opportunity to come and play,” he said.
“Every league game we play in the PSL is never easy, and more so when we play against the defending champions, a Norman Mapeza-coached side.
"I want to applaud my youngsters for their sterling job. I believe with a little bit of luck, if we had utilised the chances that came our way, we could have crossed the finish line, but we take the point home."
Mutasa declined to dwell on the controversial penalty incident.
"Football is an emotional game and as a coach you are also affected, but we take what the officials say and we move on."
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza admitted his side failed to make the most of their opportunities.
"It was a good game of football. Well done to MWOS, I think they did very well. Coming to our part, we had those half chances. When games are difficult like this, you don't create many clear-cut chances. If you create those chances, make sure you bury them.
"At the end of the day it's a point, we take it. Now we have to shift our focus to the Munhumutapa Cup."
Teams
Scottland: NChadya, PMuduhwa, I Mohammed, N Nyasulu, M Shidolo, M Msebe, A Moffat, W Musona (K. Mureremba 72'), P Mutimbanyoka (N Tenge 80'), K Billiat (E. Ziocha 80'), K Musona.
MWOS: F Tizayi, T George (B Mpofu 51'), I Zambezi, A Banda, T Mutyambizi (M Murambiwa 34'), M Mudzuka (C Kwangwari 73'), R Chinemo, T Nyabunze, W Mensah, B Veremu (Mlilo 52'), V Katsande.
