Online Reporter
Onward Gangata-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Bulawayo Chiefs and National team Under-17 coach Thulani ‘Thuts’ Sibanda has backed rising Young Warriors forward Tatenda Maulidi to succeed at Premier Soccer League side, TelOne.
Maulidi is on the books of the Gweru side, having joined them on loan from Legends Football Academy at the start of the season when the WI-FI Boys were still under the guidance of Herbert “Jompano’’ Maruwa.
The talented winger and versatile athlete has since been training with the WI-FI Boys who are having an indifferent season after a commendable 2025 term in which they finished fifth on the Premiership log standings.
That poor start cost Maruwa his job with Saul Chaminuka being handed the task of helping TelOne fight against relegation.
Although Maulidi, who has also represented Zimbabwe at the CAF Schools Under-17 level and the COSAFA Under-17, which the country hosted last year, is yet to make his debut for TelOne, the club holds the player in high regard.
On Thursday, TelOne announced that their talismanic striker, Tawanda Macheke, will miss up to six weeks because of injury, which means the Gweru outfit would have to sift through their ranks for a replacement.
“Forward Tawanda Macheke will be sidelined for four to six weeks following an injury sustained during our recent match against Simba Bhora in Shamva,” read a statement from the club.
Macheke’s injury is a body blow to TelOne whose Premiership status precariously hangs by a thread.
They are currently 15th on the table with 17 points on the board.
And Macheke, who has also seen top-flight league duties with Dynamos and Black Rhinos has been their leading light.
This leaves the WI-FI Boys short of a quality finisher with the other strikers Jerry Chipangura and Farai Matatu terribly struggling for consistency.
That could open a window of opportunity for the highly-rated Maulidi, who alongside Tatenda Chakuchichi and El Shaddai Sadomba, have formed a deadly attacking trio for Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors.
The Legends Academy prodigy has been itching to finally make his Premiership bow.
Chaminuka on his part, has on several occasions bemoaned the absence of a lethal finisher in his team.
TelOne have also been linked with several veteran forwards including journeyman Evans Katema.
However, the solution to TelOne’s worries could lie within a young and gifted forward, rather than on recycling of old players.
The big question though, is whether Chaminuka will be brave enough to trust the youngster for the remainder of the season.
Very few of the domestic Premiership coaches place faith in young guns.
Sibanda, who previously worked with Maulidi during last year’s COSAFA under 17 tournament believes the young forward is ready for the big stage.
“He is a great player, and I’m sure he will make the cut,” said Sibanda.
“The boy is a complete player blessed with pace, power and technique, it is only a matter of time.
“All he needs is grooming and love from the coaches and he will explode, that is something I am sure of.”
