Scottland beat Petro de Luanda to take first-leg advantage

Scottland FC made a winning start to their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie after beating Angolan giants Petro de Luanda 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Goals from Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona in the second half handed the Zimbabwean champions a valuable advantage ahead of the return leg in Angola.

Scottland had an early opportunity to take control of the match when Petro de Luanda goalkeeper Hugo Marques was shown a straight red card just one minute into the game for a professional foul on forward Panashe Mutimbanyoka.

The dismissal left the visitors with 10 men for the entire match, but Scottland FC struggled to make their numerical advantage count in the first half.

The teams went into the break deadlocked at 0-0, with Scottland needing to improve their finishing after failing to capitalise on the early setback suffered by the Angolan side.

Scottland came out looking for the breakthrough after the restart, with Billiat going close in the 47th minute after doing well to create an opportunity, only to see his effort go wide.

KHAMA BILLIAT, KNOWLEDGE MUSONA SHINE IN SCOTTLAND’S WIN OVER ANGOLAN GIANTS

THE DEADLY TRIO: Walter Musona, Knowledge Musona ans Khama-Billiat celebrating a goal. Picture by Scottland FC

Seven minutes later, Knowledge Musona failed to punish a mistake by Petro de Luanda, while Scottland players appealed for another red card after the visitors’ goalkeeper handled the ball outside the penalty area.

However, the referee waved away their protests.Thwala tested the Petro goalkeeper with a long-range effort in the 61st minute following a good attacking move, but his shot was saved.

Scottland introduced Walter Musona for Emmanuel Jalai in the 57th minute, and the substitution proved influential as the hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute.

Billiat tapped home a Walter Musona cross to give Scottland the breakthrough they had been searching for and lift the pressure on the home side.

The goal changed the complexion of the match, with Scottland taking greater control and creating a series of chances as they searched for a second goal.

Their persistence paid off when Billiat turned provider, finding an unmarked Knowledge Musona, who calmly finished to make it 2-0.The goal was Musona’s first in the CAF Champions League in Scottland colours, giving the home side further reason to celebrate.

Scottland then made changes in the closing stages, with Aboubaka Moffat making way for Moses Shidolo in the 78th minute. In the 87th minute, the hosts withdrew goalscorers Billiat and Musona after their decisive contributions.

The 2-0 victory gives Scottland a healthy advantage heading into the return leg in Angola, although they will know that the job is not yet complete as they pursue a place in the CAF Champions League group stages.

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