Scottland FC Beat Nsingizini 1-0 as Mapeza Explains Musona's Absence

Knowledge Musona was absent, but disciplinary trouble was not the reason. Scottland FC coach Norman Mapeza said the star forward missed Sunday's CAF Champions League preliminary-round match against Nsingizini FC because of a hamstring injury.

Mapeza made the clarification after Scottland secured a narrow 1-0 victory at the National Sports Stadium. The Mabvuku-based side dominated the match and held a numerical advantage for almost the entire game, yet it took until the 68th minute to break through. Substitute Neville Tengeng scored the only goal.

Nsingizini were reduced to 10 men in the third minute, when Kingston Kwakyi received a red card for fouling Moses Shidolo on the edge of the box. Scottland still found it difficult to break down the visitors' defence, turning the match into a long wait for the decisive goal.

Musona's omission had drawn attention after reports about his conduct during Scottland's previous match against FC Platinum. Mapeza rejected the suggestion that the forward had been left out for disciplinary reasons. "Knowledge Musona had a knock, a hamstring injury against FC Platinum. We took him out that day because we thought he would give us results today, but then when he went for a scan, it revealed that he is going to be out for two weeks," he said.

Scottland are expected to travel to South Africa on Monday to prepare for the second leg against Nsingizini in Eswatini next Sunday. Mapeza will have to use other attacking options while Musona recovers.

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Knowledge Musona had a knock, a hamstring injury against FC Platinum. We took him out that day because we thought he would give us results today, but then when he went for a scan, it revealed that he is going to be out for two weeks.