By Tapiwa Chawagarira
HARARE — Zimbabwean champions Scottland FC made a winning start to their historic CAF Champions League campaign by edging Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs 1-0 in the first-leg preliminary-round tie at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Neville Mbanwei Tengeg scored the decisive goal in the 66th minute, giving Scottland a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg in Eswatini.
The narrow victory gives the Zimbabwean champions a clean-sheet advantage, although the one-goal margin leaves the tie finely balanced as they head into the second leg, scheduled for September 12.
The encounter marked Scottland’s maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League after their breakthrough Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title triumph.
The Mabvuku-based side carried the hopes of Zimbabwe into their first continental campaign and managed to secure a result against an Nsingizini side with recent CAF competition experience.
Tengeg’s second-half strike proved enough to separate the two sides, giving Scottland a valuable lead to defend when they meet again in Eswatini.
Nsingizini are no strangers to Zimbabwean opposition, having faced Simba Bhora in last season’s Champions League qualifying campaign. Their continental experience makes the return leg a potentially difficult challenge for Scottland.
Scottland will now travel to Eswatini knowing they need to remain disciplined and protect their advantage to progress to the next stage of the competition.
A draw would be enough to send the Zimbabwean champions through on aggregate, while Nsingizini will need to overturn the deficit at home.
For Scottland, Tengeg’s 66th-minute strike could prove priceless as they attempt to announce themselves on the continental stage and continue their remarkable rise since entering Zimbabwe’s top-flight football league.
The return leg on September 12 now promises to be the defining chapter of this two-legged contest.
