FLAMBOYANT league debutants Scottland FC coach Tonderai Ndiraya was full of praise for star striker Tymon Machope, whose recent goal-scoring form has put the team firmly in the Premier Soccer League title race.
Machope scored a second successive brace in last Friday’s 2-1 win over ZPC Kariba at Rufaro, a victory that briefly put the league newcomers on top of the log standings.
He scored his first set in the rampant 5-2 demolition of former champions FC Platinum early in the month.
Voted July Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Player of the Match, Machope, who was presented with his cheque just before kickoff on Friday, now has four goals in two matches this month.
Scottland now sit in second place with 49 points from 25 matches, one point behind defending champions Simba Bhora, who reclaimed the top spot after a crucial 1-0 win against title rivals MWOS FC on Saturday.
Ndiraya believes Machope’s timely form is a key factor in their title push.
“I think Tymon, in particular, has picked up form at the right time,” he said.
“He scored a brace at Mandava Stadium and then he also scored a brace today. He’s doing really, really well.
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“If he takes most of his chances, I think Tymon should be getting more than 20 goals per season.”
The coach emphasised that Machope’s goals give the team an excellent chance of winning.
“If he scores, if your forwards score, then you are 80% sure to win matches and that’s what has been happening in the past games,” he added.
While Machope is leading the line, Ndiraya also highlighted the importance of his squad’s depth in navigating the difficult terrain of the title race.
He noted that other players are also contributing goals, citing midfielder Moses Shidolo as a recent example.
Shidolo, a new addition during the midseason transfer window, has also been putting in very good performances that have given the team an edge over most of our opponents.
The coach’s belief in squad depth was tested against ZPC Kariba, as the team was without key players Albert Manenji, Kingsley Mureremba and the injured Walter Musona.
However, the players who stepped in delivered a strong performance, providing very positive signs for the team, according to Ndiraya.
“Depth is really going to be very key for us going forward.When we lose players we can easily replace them.”
Scottland FC is aiming for a historic achievement: winning the league title in their debut season in the topflight, a feat last accomplished by the Black Rhinos in 1984.
With nine league matches remaining, Ndiraya hopes his team can maintain its consistency and mental strength to go all the way.
The debutants face Herentals next at Rufaro this Saturday.
Fixtures
Friday: Yadah v Ngezi Platinum (The Heart Stadium)
Saturday: TelOne v Chicken Inn (Ascot Stadium), FC Platinum v Caps United (Mandava Stadium), Simba Bhora v Kwekwe United (Wadzanai Stadium), Herentals v Scottland (Rufaro Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Triangle (Nyamhunga Stadium)
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v MWOS (Sakubva Stadium), Dynamos v Green Fuel (Rufaro Stadium), Bikita Minerals v Highlanders (Gibbo Stadium)
