Ndiraya’s time ticking as Scottland FC demand results

TAWANDA CHARI

There was something symbolic about the way Scottland FC owner Scott Sakupwanya stormed out of Rufaro Stadium before the final whistle on Sunday. His team trailed CAPS United 1-0 in a tense Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matchday 19 encounter and looked short of answers. The man behind one of Zimbabwean football’s most lavishly funded projects looked fed up.

Tonderai Ndiraya [Image: Scottland FC Media]

For all the noise, glitz, and glamour that has surrounded Scottland FC’s maiden Premier Soccer League campaign -- from the custom suits to the bus parades -- the reality on the pitch is far less exciting. The club, despite boasting financial muscle and a host of big name players, sits in fifth place, 12 points behind league leaders MWOS, who, crucially, came up from Division One in the same season.

Coach Tonderai Ndiraya continues to plead patience. “Scottland is a new team,” he said after the game. “Despite the investment made… we’re still learning the ropes.”

But here’s the thing. Learning curves are for teams that are still figuring out their identity. 

Scottland knows what it wants to be: a title contender. That’s what all the money was for. That’s why they brought in high profile stars. That’s why they just signed Terrence Dzvukamanja and Malawian international Khuda Muyaba. That’s why Sydney Urikhob was released without hesitation. Results are the currency here. 

This is not your average "new team."

Let’s be real for a minute. What makes a football team big outside titles? There are two prominent things: spending power and player quality.

Scottland has both. 

And that means they’ve forfeited the right to call themselves a “small side.” They’ve graduated at least in expectation and in football, that’s what matters most.

You can’t have the likes of Dzvukamanja, Elisha Muroiwa, Valentine Musarurwa, and a cast of seasoned professionals, with one of the league’s best funded setups, and still claim underdog status. That narrative wore thin the moment the club started flexing its financial muscle.

Now, the scrutiny must turn to the technical bench. Tonderai Ndiraya is no novice. He’s led former giants like Dynamos (they fell off so bad they are likely to be relegated) and also Ngezi Platinum. His tactics, squad use, and man management must now face critical analysis. I expect them to compete at the top. They aren't bad. 5th is decent. But they should be much higher though. At the very least, finding the back of the net more often than the 26 times in 18 games they have.

The truth is, when you’re given the tools and money to build a house and you’re still sleeping outside, questions will be asked. And you can't run away from these questions. Fans clamour for answers and most importantly, good results. 

A club of their stature, especially given the ambitions declared so publicly, cannot afford inconsistency.

And that’s what makes the MWOS comparison sting even more. They’ve kept it simple. No theatrics. No grandstanding. Just efficiency. First place, 40 points, and a squad that looks like it plays for each other. 

Scottland, in contrast, are yet to earn that respect.

Of course, pressure is part of the game and it’s now ramping up. With every dropped point, with every tepid performance, the spotlight intensifies on Ndiraya. The fans are murmuring. The owner is restless. The media are circling. The dressing room may be next.

No one is demanding miracles. But results? yes. Results are non negotiable if this is a team built to win now. With another marquee signing in Khuda Muyaba added to the ranks, Ndiraya has one of the most potent attacking lineups in the league. Time to make it count. If they don’t, the questions won’t be about the players. 

They’ll be about the man in the dugout. Tick-tock.