NORMAN Mapeza believes his Scottland side have finally internalised his footballing philosophy, pointing to his culture of hard work and rigorous tactical discipline as the catalysts for their recent resurgence.
The former FC Platinum coach’s tenure at the well-resourced club endured a stuttering start, characterised by constant squad rotation as he searched for a functional formula.
However, Mapeza appears to have settled on a definitive starting line-up, fielding a largely unchanged side throughout an impressive seven-match winning streak.
This rich vein of form has brought a sense of validation for the coach, who expressed satisfaction that his squad is finally mirroring his vision on the pitch.
“We are just working hard and I think the guys now they really understand what we want to achieve,” Mapeza said.
“They now understand the main objectives for them as players and for us as the technical team and the club objectives as well.
“The secret now is for us to keep working hard and just see how the season progresses.”
Scottland currently lead the Premier Soccer League standings with 43 points from 20 matches, holding a five-point cushion over their nearest rivals, Hardrock.
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However, Hardrock retain a game in hand following the abandonment of their fixture against Dynamos.
The Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary committee delivered its verdict on the matter yesterday, ordering that the final 14 minutes of the match — which was halted with the score level at 1-1 — must be completed at a neutral venue and behind closed doors.
While a chorus of pundits have already anointed Scottland as clear favourites to retain their league crown, Mapeza remains fiercely guarded against complacency.
“Look, we still have some more games to go. There are 14 matches to go. So we can’t talk about the championship now,” he said.
“There are still so many games to go. We just have to stay focused, keep working hard like I always say, and see how the season progresses.”
Scottland will attempt to extend their winning run to a historic eight matches on Saturday when they play relegation-threatened Hunters at Rufaro Stadium.
Mapeza’s men enter the fixture with significant momentum, fresh from a comprehensive 5-0 demolition of another struggling outfit, Manica Diamonds, last weekend.
Having secured a comfortable 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture, the league leaders will be confident of completing a conventional double over the newly promoted side.
Yet, complacency could prove dangerous.
Hunters FC have shown genuine signs of a revival in recent weeks, assembling a five-match unbeaten run.
That sequence includes two victories alongside highly-creditable draws against heavyweights Dynamos and FC Platinum, as well as last season’s runners-up, MWOS FC.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matchday 21 fixtures
Saturday: Bulawayo Chiefs v MWOS (Luveve), TelOne v FC Platinum (Ascot), Hunters v Scottland (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Chicken Inn (Baobab)
Sunday: Hardrock v Caps United (Chahwanda), Manica Diamonds v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Triangle United v Herentals College (Gibbo), Highlanders v Simba Bhora (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Agama (Rufaro)
