Bosso halt Scottland’s streak as Hardrock waste golden chance to close gap

Scottland FC’s winning streak was brought to a screaming halt following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Highlanders FC, while Hardrock FC wasted a golden opportunity to close the gap on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log leaders.

Benjamin Adeogun was the hero as Highlanders breached Scottland’s backline for the first time in ten matches. It was only Scottland’s second defeat of the season, and they remain on 49 points. Hardrock FC stay second on the table with 42 points.

As expected, the match started at a high tempo, with both teams looking jittery in the opening minute. Scottland broke first when Knowledge Musona picked out an unmarked Khama Billiat in the box.

Billiat’s effort was blocked, though, by Aron Ngwenya’s outstretched leg in a one-on-one situation. This match proved to be a litmus test for Scottland in their last 10 games, as Bosso turned the screws and pushed for an early goal.

BENJAMIN ADEOGUN’S GOAL BREAKS SCOTTLAND’S RUN

Scottland FC ahead of a match at Rufaro stadium

Deservedly, Bosso broke the deadlock in the 24th minute through Nigerian Adeogun, who finished off a move orchestrated by Mongameli Tshuma. The goal sent the Highlanders faithful into a frenzy.

Two minutes later they almost doubled the lead. Tshuma pounced on a howler from goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, but Chadya recovered quickly to block Tshuma’s intended through ball and concede a corner.

From then on, Scottland FC stabilized but Bosso remained a threat with Adeogun and Reason Sibanda bursting with some impressive on and off the ball movement.

For the first time in as many games, Scottland FC looked in disarray, with coach Norman Mapeza visibly angered by how his men had applied themselves. The PSL log leaders trailed at half-time. Scottland FC turned up the screws in the second half, piling on massive pressure in search of an equalizer.

However, they were hamstrung on the hour mark when Kelvin Moyo received a second yellow for a foul on Reason Sibanda, who at that point was charging towards goal. To stabilize the team, Musona was withdrawn and replaced by Emmanuel Jalai in the 63rd minute.

Even when Scottland threatened, their moves were dealt with easily by the Bosso backline, while goalkeeper Ngwenya remained resolute and commanding. Simply put, the Benjani Mwaruwari-coached side produced what is arguably their best performance of the season, despite their financial struggles.

HARDROCK FC WASTE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE GAP

Meanwhile, at Chahwanda Stadium, Hardrock FC wasted a chance to close the gap on the PSL leaders, after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Triangle.

First-half goals from veteran Thabani Kamusoko and Stephen Zhogi were enough to seal the win, while most of Hardrock FC’s efforts came to nothing except for Prince Dube’s consolation goal scored in the second half.

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