Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga [email protected]
TelOne coach Joel Luphahla has admitted that some of his players “have given up” and are being crippled by hamstring injuries, as the Wifi Boys stare down a brutal run-in to avoid PSL relegation.
Speaking after defeat to Hardrock, Luphahla painted a bleak picture of a squad running on empty at the worst time of the season.
“I think we are still getting used to the players. We are seeing some weaknesses in them. Some of them have given up, so it’s up to us to try and make sure that we motivate the team, that’s my responsibility as a coach,” Luphahla said.
“At this stage of the season we are seeing players having hamstring injuries and it tells us that maybe they’re not fit. When you’re playing for relegation it’s difficult. The output that you put compared to other teams is different. They are putting a lot of effort but it’s becoming difficult day by day.”
Telone lost valuable three points against Triangle FC after losing 2-0 at home in their last home match, with just six games to go, the equation is now stark.
With 20 points from 28 games, Telone sit third from bottom. Agama FC moved onto 25 points with a 1-0 win yesterday in a relegation dog fight against Manica Diamonds FC. Debutants Hunters FC occupy the safe spot (14th place)) on 28 points.
For Telone to be safe, they need to win all their remaining six games and hope Hunters lose at least three.
“A point is not good for us anymore,” Lupahla admitted. “We need to start winning games.”
The Wifi Boys’ situation was made worse by Agama’s victory yesterday, which piled more pressure on the Gweru side in the three-way relegation battle.
Telone’s survival bid resumes in two weeks with a home fixture against Ngezi Platinum Stars.
“We play our next game in two weeks time at home versus Ngezi. Another difficult game that we need to try and salvage three points.
“But at the end of the day we are still in the PSL and we need to compete and make sure that we get the three points at home.”
“This is a beautiful team that deserves to stay up in premier league. So we are going to work and make sure that we save them. Then we can prepare for next year with better quality to show to our supporters. It’s sad that we came here and our supporters are dotted one, two, three there. We know how much they love their team, this is what we are trying to do.”
With morale low, injuries mounting, and the gap widening, Lupahla now faces the fight of his coaching career to keep Telone in the top flight.
