Joel Luphahla returns to TelOne

FORMER TelOne coach Joel Luphahla is set to make a sensational return to the Gweru-based Premier Soccer League side, with the coach expected to take charge of his first training session today, Zimpapers Sports Hubhas gathered.

Sources close to the developments said Luphahla will take over the reins at TelOne, with the former Warriors midfielder returning to a club he guided into the top flight in 2018.

His first assignment will be a potentially demanding encounter against Dynamos on Saturday at Rufaro Stadium.

The match is part of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League programme, with Dynamos hosting TelOne on August 15.

“Luphahla is coming in and he is expected to conduct his first training session today in Gweru,” said a source close to the developments.

Another source confirmed the development, saying the coach’s immediate task would be to prepare the team for the Dynamos encounter.

TelOne have been forced into another change in the technical department after a turbulent campaign that has left them battling for survival.

Luphahla’s return comes just months after he had been given the responsibility of guiding FC Platinum.

The Zvishavane-based club parted ways with Luphahla and his technical team by mutual consent on July 28, with South African coach Thabo Senong appointed as his replacement.

Before his move to FC Platinum, Luphahla had enjoyed a successful spell at Simba Bhora, guiding the Shamva side to a third-place finish in the 2025 Premiership season.

His return to TelOne will mark a full-circle moment for the coach.

Luphahla guided TelOne to promotion into the Premier Soccer League in 2018 after the side won the Central Region Division One championship.

However, he did not take charge of the club’s maiden top-flight campaign as head coach after the club had to make changes to comply with coaching qualification requirements.

Jairos Tapera was subsequently appointed head coach, while Luphahla was retained in a different technical capacity. The coach had nevertheless played a key role in TelOne’s historic promotion.

His coaching career subsequently took him to Golden Eagles and Highlanders, where he worked as an assistant coach before taking charge of Bosso on an interim basis.

He later established himself as a head coach, most notably at Simba Bhora, before his appointment at FC Platinum.

Luphahla now returns to TelOne at a difficult point in the club’s season.

Herbert Maruwa was the first coach to leave the club this season, with TelOne turning to veteran coach Saul Chaminuka in May. Chaminuka’s appointment, effective from May 1, came after Maruwa’s departure following a poor run of results.

Chaminuka subsequently came under increasing pressure as TelOne continued to struggle, with reports last month describing him as being under pressure and effectively a “dead man walking” despite a victory over CAPS United.

On August 4, it was reported that TelOne were expected to part ways with Chaminuka and that Luphahla had emerged as the likely replacement.

The latest developments indicate that the change has now moved closer to completion, with Luphahla expected to begin work with the players today.

The coach faces an immediate test against Dynamos, giving him little time to impose his ideas on a side fighting to preserve its Premiership status.

For Luphahla, the return provides an opportunity to revive a club with which he has already achieved promotion success.

For TelOne, the immediate objective is survival — and they will hope the return of the coach who took them into the top flight can help produce another turnaround.

TelOne had not officially announced Luphahla’s appointment by the time of writing.