Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TELONE’S campaign for a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top-four finish has been jolted by a seemingly stubborn home ground curse that has forced them to rely on their away form.
The Gweru outfit have somehow struggled to turn Ascot into a fortress and have dropped vital points at their home, derailing their aspirations for a title push.
Herbert “Jompano’’ Maruwa’s WI-FI Boys will tomorrow travel to the Heart to face Yadah Stars, hoping to capitalise on their good form on the road and possibly revive hopes of a strong finish.
In their last league assignment at Ascot two weeks ago, TelOne fell 1-0 to MWOS.
In fact, TelOne have since last month seen their home form spectacularly collapse.
They failed to win in three home matches last month.
Ironically, TelOne have found their groove each time they are on the road, where they have picked some important wins and are currently sixth on the log table with 43 points.
Maruwa, who has the Premiership’s leading scorer Washington Navaya on the TelOne books, is aware of the need to play with some consistency.
He said his charges “can’t afford to drop points despite expecting tough resilience from Yadah.
“This is a crucial and tough match for us, at this stage of the season, we simply cannot afford to drop points.
“Yadah, battling relegation, will exert immense pressure on us, necessitating our utmost performance,” Maruwa stated.
With fighting to preserve their Premiership status, Maruwa has every reason to worry about the strong resistance that TelOne could face from Yadah.
In their last five league assignments, TelOne have lost to Manica Diamonds, Chicken Inn and MWOS at home and went on to win away against TelOne and Bikita Minerals.
“We need to improve our home form, as we have been struggling here compared to our away results.
“These games demand maximum effort, and we have to fight for every ball to secure the win.
“Fortunately, we have a full squad available, which allows us to select the players in the best form. Our focus must be absolute-there is no room for any slip-ups,’’ Maruwa said.
