SCOTTLAND FC coach Tonderai Ndiraya has admitted they are under pressure from log leaders MWOS FC’s success considering that both team are in their debut season in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The two teams competed in the Northern Region Soccer League last year and it was Scottland who won the sole ticket into the topflight league albeit under controversial circumstances.
While they entered the topflight Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with a star-studded squad and significant investment, it is MWOS FC, who secured their spot by acquiring ZPC Hwange’s franchise, who have taken the league by storm.
Currently, MWOS FC sits comfortably at the top of the league with 40 points from 19 matches.
Scottland FC, by contrast, are languishing in fifth place with 28 points from a game less, enduring a rough patch of four matches without a win.
The sting of their recent 1-0 loss to giants Caps United at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday only compounded their woes.
“I think the pressure really is about our rivals (MWOS FC), who are doing very well,” Ndiraya stated, acknowledging the undeniable impact of their counterparts’ stellar run.
“And naturally, when your rivals do very well, we came together from Division 1, you are also expected to do very well. But football is not like that. It’s a process.”
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Ndiraya, a seasoned coach who guided defending champions Simba Bhora to the title last season, inherited a club brimming with expectation, boasting acclaimed names like Khama Billiat, Walter Musona, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Mthokozisi Msebe, Kingsley Mureremba and Tymon Machope, among others.
“From day one, our team was under pressure, you know, from different quarters,” Ndiraya explained, alluding to the lingering resentment from last season’s promotion saga.
“But, like I have said, I think the experience that we have in the team should help us. The senior players should help the youngsters, I mean, because Scottland, as a club, have brought some competition to the league, despite them being a new team in the league.
“I don’t know what happened last year, but for some reason, people are probably supporting every team that we are playing against. Some of them are clearly stating those things. But, I mean, we were not there. We are new to this team.”
Despite the jeers from opposing fans and the weight of being a cash-rich side, Ndiraya remains resolute.
“We are not thinking about that at all. I think what is important is for us to focus on the job and on what we can control. And what we can control as the coaches and the players is what happens on the pitch,” the Mabvuku-based club mentor said.
“Scotland are a new team, despite the investment that was done. And naturally, when such an investment is done, the pressure then gets more and more.
“But naturally, we are a small team with big-name players, but that does not make us a big team. We are new in the league. We are still learning the ropes. But like I have said, in learning the ropes, we want to win.”
With a crucial match against Ngezi Platinum looming this Saturday at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Scottland FC will be desperate to break their winless streak and prove their mettle.
“We have won games before. We continue to work hard so that we win,” Ndiraya asserted, confident in his team’s ability to manage the pressure and turn their fortunes around.
“There are still so many games to play. We wait for it. We follow the process and see what happens.”
