FREE spending Scottland owner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya has raised the stakes for his team ahead of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash with Highlanders after raising the players’ winning bonuses from the usual US$500 to US$800 per player for tomorrow’s showdown.
The PSL newcomers will play outside Harare for the first time since their inception into the elite league.
Before this, they had played Triangle, Caps United and Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Having won their first two matches without conceding a goal, their bubble was burst by former champions Ngezi, who handed them their first defeat just before the international break.
They are desperate to bounce back and Scott has dangled more cash after he was visibly disappointed by the defeat in the last game.
Scott predicted that his team would romp to a 4-0 win over Bosso in their own fortress, Barbourfields.
“That one, we are winning and I can give you (the) scoreline,” he said.
“We are definitely winning 4-0.”
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He, however, said he was not expecting his team to win the league title this season as they are still on a learning curve.
Scottland signed some of the best talents on the local front, where they also robbed Highlanders of defender Peter Muduhwa and striker Lynoth Chikuhwa.
“Right now, we are not looking to be number one, number two, number three or number four. We are looking at maybe number five. I said to my coach ‘I am happy if you are number five so that we can just understand the demands of the league’,” Scott said.
“It’s not about the fact that our team bought a lot of players, but the coach needs time to create combinations with the players that he has.
“It’s a process. We are saying we are not looking to winning the league title, but if we win, it’s by God’s grace.”
After the defeat to Ngezi, Scottland surrendered the top spot, sliding down to third position on the league table, while fellow Premiership debutants MWOS assumed the top spot.
Highlanders have increased the gate charges from the usual US$3 for the cheapest ticket to US$5.
Scottland have come in with some flamboyance and after their spending spree, they have attracted sizeable crowds at their matches.
Their match against Caps United attracted about 11 000 paying fans.
It’s likely that Barbourfields will also be packed for the coming encounter.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu has no injury in his camp.
Scottland’s Tonderai Ndiraya said he expects another tough match as they have become the team to beat.
Six of his players who were with the national team, Khama Billiat, Muduhwa, Mthokozisi Msebe, Tymon Machope, Walter Musona and Godknows Murwira only returned from national duty on Thursday.
Billiat and Musona played in the two national team matches, but the other four will be fresh ahead of tomorrow’s clash.
