Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TELONE is set to make history by recording their highest finish ever in the Premiership.
The Gweru-based outfit currently occupy fifth place with 54 points.
Their best finish so far was 10th position in 2024 (last year), while in 2019 they finished in the bottom four and got relegated.
Herbert Maruwa’s charges end the season with a clash against Scottland at Ascot where they will also witness the champions’ crowning moment.
Victory for TelOne could give them a top-four position, depending on other match results.
Strikers Washington Navaya and Tawanda Macheke have been instrumental in the team’s performance this season.
“It wasn’t smooth,” admitted Macheke. “But the teammates and the coaches helped me a lot to settle.
“The other crucial thing is I worked with coach Herbert before, so he knows me sometimes more than I know myself. I knew what to expect from him as well.”
His consistency, Macheke said, was not from a rigid routine but a focused mindset.
“Hard work and patience I think played a bigger role this season,” he said.
“I don’t really have a routine; I only pray before matches and try to relax as much as possible, and I think it has been of a positive impact.”
A key factor in his performance has been the freedom granted by the coaches.
“I have played much of the games not only on the number nine position but also on the left wing. So the freedom to express myself and not being restricted to playing by the book, I think, played a pivotal role in improving my game this season.
“I appreciate Manica Diamonds, but at TelOne I felt the love and trust. At TelOne I was given more responsibility; it’s evident I have played and started all the league games and managed to help with not only goals but also have 10 assists. So basically, at TelOne I felt the love and trust.”
With the season’s end in sight, Macheke’s ambition burns brighter than ever, setting his sights on an even higher benchmark for the next campaign.
“I just wish for more improvement as a team as well as individually. This year I have 17 goal contributions so far; hence the next campaign I wish to do better.”
