SCOTTLAND coach Tonderayi Ndiraya has attributed, in part, a crucial professional foul committed by defender Peter Muduwa to their win in a dramatic encounter against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium on Saturday.
The incident saw Muduwa red-carded but ultimately ensured Scottland held on with 10 men.
The match, which marked Ndiraya's first triumph at his former home ground since 2018 and ended Scottland's away jinx for the season, in an incident-filled match.
After Ngezi Platinum Stars opened the scoring through McDonald Makuwe, Scottland responded swiftly.
Mthokozisi Msebe emerged as the hero of the day, netting an equaliser with a volley before grabbing his brace and what would become the winning goal in the 10th minute from another counter-attack.
However, the turning point arrived when Muduwa was sent off for denying Obriel Chirinda a clear scoring opportunity.
Initially shown a yellow, the referee, after consulting with the fourth official, upgraded it to red.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Ndiraya defended his player's actions.
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"I thought we showed very good character. We came back quickly and equalised through Mthokozisi Msebe, whom I must give a special mention today because of what he did," Ndiraya remarked, commending Msebe's impact.
"He is the reason why we won the championship last year, if you ask me at Simba Bhora, he chipped in with very important goals, and I think this season, he has scored two very important goals for us today.
"After the equaliser, before we even settled, he scored what then became the winner for today's match, he scored the second goal and then after that... there was drama, we then had Peter Muduwa being sent off and like I've said, instead of bashing him, I think we must also give him credit," Ndiraya said.
"Peter committed a professional foul, which in my opinion, knowing Obriel Chirinda, he was going to score, he doesn't miss from such situations, so in the end, that professional foul then became an advantage, in fact, it then gave us the result that we have today."
With 10 men, Scottland reorganised, making tactical changes that proved pivotal in shutting out their opponents.
Ngezi Platinum Stars dominated possession in the second half, but found no way past Scottland's resolute defence.
The win was a significant achievement for Ndiraya, finally breaking his duck at a venue where he had not secured a victory since his departure from Ngezi Platinum Stars in 2018.
