All or nothing: MWOS and Scottland renew their rivalry in El-Cashico

Scottland have not scored a single goal in each of their last three league matches.

The defending champions have also not been able to beat any of the teams in the top half of the table, 8 matches into their title defence.

But when their Marcopolo Paradiso G8 series drives into Ngoni Stadium in Norton this afternoon, the fast-growing Mabviravira fanbase will not want to hear any excuses from coach Norman Mapeza, as far as this encounter in particular, is concerned.

The rivalry between the two moneybags is well-documented and football fans will vividly remember their nail-biting battle for promotion in the Northern Region Soccer League in 2024.

They traded blows again in their first season in the Premiership last season, beating each other 1-0 in one of, if not the most-awaited fixture in the Premiership presently.

Mabviravira went on to win the title, with MWOS finishing second.

The two sides renew their rivalry this afternoon, with more than just three points up for grabs.

To the football-crazy Norton community, a defeat to Scottland in a town where everything is blue and red, is inexcusable and MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa knows it.

Also, what the people of Norton must have been losing sleep over this past week, is the fact that there are two players from the opposing side, who are part of them in terms of history but can plot MWOS’ downfall.

Brothers Knowledge and Walter Musona are from Norton town but they are very capable of making sure that sadness reins in the iconic town today.

The Punters, in terms of form, ought to be oozing with confidence heading into the clash, as they have amassed seven points from a possible nine, in their last three matches.

Wins over Agama and Simba Bhora, as well as a crucial draw against FC Platinum at Mandava, have seen MWOS finding their groove after a somewhat slow start.

Worryingly for MWOS though, they are missing four key players.

Namibian hotshot Dawid Ndeunyema is still nursing an injury, so is the club’s all time and current leading goal scorer Arthur Banda.

Midfield workhorse Mathew Murambiwa is also out injured while fan favorite Jeremiah Makangira is serving a suspension.

Another reason to worry, from a MWOS perspective, is that their former player can mastermind their downfall.

Just six months ago, Abubakar Moffat would not drive his Mercedes Benz in Norton and not get stopped by excited MWOS fans, but the Aces Youth Academy is now a Scottland player, and arguably their best so far this season.

Unlike in Vegas, where everything that happens stays there, what happens in Norton this afternoon will be talked about countywide, for weeks if not months.