We have a target on our back – Ndiraya
By Darlington Gatsi
SINCE Scottland made their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) debut at Rufaro Stadium, they have been met with hostility.
The hostility partly stems from the team having raided the traditional giants of their valuable players in a spending spree during the transfer period.
The disdain also emanates from Scottland’s proprietor, Pedzisai Scott Sakupwanya’s controversial clinching of the Mabvuku parliamentary seat.
Football fans in Harare have, in the past three matches, thronged Rufaro Stadium to support every team that plays against Scottland.
A Scottland defeat is met with jubilation, as was the case on Friday when Ngezi Platinum defeated the new boys 1-0.
On the field of play, PSL clubs summon strength and fighting spirit when playing against the star-studded Scottland, which boasts of Khama Billiat and Walter Musona among several national team players.
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya said his team is playing with a target on its back, with every team out to prove themselves against them.
“I think we saw it when we played our first match here. We saw that it was going to be a very long season for us. It looks like we are becoming a team to beat. Every match is going to be very difficult for us.
“It is our first season in the league but it has come with a lot of pressure from the fans and we have to be strong mentally to a level where we can resist some of the pressure that is being thrown at us,” said Ndiraya.
Despite having seasoned players in its ranks, Scottland began the campaign on a low, needing an own goal to secure a victory against Triangle. Scottland then convincingly beat CAPS United 2-0 in the following encounter.
Ngezi Platinum then handed Scottland their first defeat in the league with a 1-0 victory. The defeat miffed Sakupwanya who left the stadium 30 minutes after the encounter as he struggled to terms with the result.
Ndiraya, albeit seeing light on the upside, said Scottland has to be up for a gruelling challenge in the PSL.
“The good thing is people are coming to watch the games and partly because of the players we have in our team. When you have such a good team then every team wants to beat you. All the people will come and want to watch the match. We have to be mentally strong to walk the journey,” said Ndiraya.
