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Onward Gangata in GWERU
UNLIKE in their maiden season in the Castle Lager Premier League, returnees, TelOne are not making wholesale changes to their squad ahead of the 2024 season.
TelOne took their Premiership bow in 2019 and back then they discarded the majority of the players who had helped them secure the Central Region promotion ticket into the top-flight.
Despite dumping the bulk of their squad and bringing on board new faces, Telone could not stand the heat in the elite league and they were relegated at the end of the same season.
Four years on, they seem to have learned their lessons. The “Wi-Fi Boys” have this time kept the bulk of their squad intact.
They have retained faith in several key players including Trust Nyabinde, Tafadzwa Sibanda, Blessing Sibanda, Frankson Bushiri, and the Muza twins Fradrick and Fredrick.
During their stint in the Central Region Division One, TelOne added a few other faces such as Blessing Sahondo and the defensive pair of Gift Bvundura and Nelson Tachi, who had previously seen duty in the Premiership.
TelOne came close to a return to the top flight in 2022 but was pipped by Sheasham, who in turn just lasted the 2023 season in the elite league. Seasoned coach Tendai Chikuni is hoping that the continuity that Telone has had will stand them in good stead on their Premiership return.
“We have a team which we were using in the last four seasons, which we have kept faith in, so the new players are just coming in to fit into the system,” Chikuni said.
The former Chapungu coach has been with the WIFi boys since 2020.
Chikuni told Zimpapers Sport yesterday that he is an ardent believer in the passing game and feels that his philosophy has to be expressed by his side this season.
This, Chikuni added, had largely influenced Telone’s recruitment policy in the current transfer window. Former Chapungu and Ngezi Platinum Stars player Lloyd Gwerina, Polyester Shoko, strikers Aubrey Nyandoro, and Washington Navaya (ex-Highlanders), are also now with the Gweru-based outfit.
The other new arrivals include the former Triangle United duo of goalkeeper Matripples Muleya and defender Eria Mafirenyika, Hugh Chikosa, and Admire Dzumbunu.
“We haven’t finished our transfer business, I have been impressed with the new arrivals.
“If you look at it, we are not a team that likes to change its style of play’’.
Chikuni has used warm-up matches against Bulawayo Chiefs who they beat 2-1, the 2-0 reverse away to Manica Diamonds, and a 0-0 draw against Sheasham to gauge the progress of his side.
He, however, is still worried about his attack and added that: “the forwards need to improve on their conversion rate before the season commences in a fortnight.
“The team is still lagging behind in terms of our cutting edge upfront but the back line is okay.
“We can withstand the heat and I am very confident we will pull through this season,’’ Chikuni said.
Online Reporter