Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TELONE coach, Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa views the current FIFA international break more like a double-edged sword.
To him, the one-week sabbatical has its own pros and cons. There are no Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches this weekend because of the international FIFA break, which will see Zimbabwe playing two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Benin tomorrow in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and the Rwanda Wasps at Orlando stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday.
The break comes at a time the local top-flight league championship marathon is reaching its business end, a stage which legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once described as the “squeaky bum” time in the English Premiership.
Maruwa feels the international the break could affect his side’s rhythm, especially after the Gweru side had posted some respectable results. TelOne walloped Bikita Minerals 4-0 at Gibbo last Sunday, in what was the biggest winning margin by any side on Match-day 27.
That win came two weeks after an impressive 2-0 win against Highlanders at Barbourfields.
Those two consecutive wins strengthened TelOne’s chances of finishing in the top four.
Maruwa’s men are now on 43 points and three behind former leaders MWOS, who occupy fourth position after 27 rounds of action.
“I am afraid this break might affect our rhythm, especially after posting a big win against Bikita Minerals.
“We had also just come out with a positive result against Highlanders in Bulawayo,” said Maruwa.
Those victories were a relief for TelOnem who had gone for four matches without a win.
After stunning defending champions Simba Bhora 2-0 at Ascot on July 23, TelOne went on to lose against Ngezi Platinum Stars and Manica Diamonds.
Just when they thought they had bounced back to winning ways following a victory against Bosso, the Wi-Fi Boys were beaten 2-1 by Chicken Inn.
They recovered in style last weekend with a loud win against Bikita Minerals.
Milton Chimedza, with a brace, Panashe Mutasa and Tawanda Macheke led the TelOne rout. A few players came out of that battle with some knocks, but Maruwa is confident they will recover in time for TelOne’s next game against MWOS at Ascot.
Maruwa still expects his side to cause problems in the last seven rounds, but wants them to improve on their home record.
In their last home match, TelOne lost 1-2 against Chicken Inn, who have struggled all season.
