Khama Billiat stole the headlines with a brace as Scottland FC eased past newcomers Hunters FC 3–0 recently, but head coach Norman Mapeza was in no mood to turn the spotlight into a one-man show.
Billiat was sharp from the first whistle, timing his run perfectly in the 20th minute to meet Moses Shidolo’s cross and steer a composed header beyond the keeper.
After the break, he struck again, this time arriving unmarked to connect with a Musona corner, guiding another clean header into the net to double Scottland’s advantage.
It was another efficient display in front of goal, taking his tally to four goals in two matches
But while Billiat’s finishing was decisive, Mapeza was quick to frame the performance as a collective effort rather than an individual showcase.
“Most of the time I don’t want to talk much about individuals, you know, because football is all about teamwork,” he said.
“It’s different from tennis where you go out there, you’re alone on the court.”
His emphasis was on the chain of contributions leading up to the goals, from defensive stability to midfield progression and final delivery, all of which enabled Billiat to operate in favourable scoring positions.
“But in football, the guys have been working.. If you look at the goals Khama has been scoring, they’ve been coming from other players,” he added.
While Billiat has been the clinical edge in front of goal, the club’s early-season momentum is being credited to a more structured, collective approach built from the back through midfield and into the final third.
His finishing has been decisive, but it is the system behind him that is creating the platform.
“So I think in terms of contributions, all the guys have been contributing equally, you know, defensively coming to midfield and in the final third. So it’s all about collective efforts.
“For him to shine, it’s because of his teammates. So mostly I would love to talk about collective efforts than individuals.”
Scottland FC’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title defence resumes on Thursday with a tricky away assignment in Gweru, where they face stubborn TelOne side at Ascot Stadium in a Matchday 5 encounter.
It’s another early-season test of consistency for the defending champions, who head into the fixture knowing TelOne have built a reputation for being difficult to break down on their home turf in the Midlands capital.
Scottland, meanwhile, will be expected to impose themselves and maintain momentum in what is shaping up as an important stretch in their title defence.
