TelOne shift from consolidation to title tilt after Byo camp

TELONE have closed their Bulawayo pre-season camp with a noticeable shift in tone, as the Gweru side moves away from talk of consolidation and instead targets a push into the title race ahead of the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign.

After finishing fifth last season, the WiFi Boys believe the foundation laid over the past two years now gives them the depth, stability and confidence to challenge for honours rather than simply stay within reach of the leading pack.

The final leg of preparations in Bulawayo focused on sharpening combinations, tightening tactical discipline and improving overall understanding within the squad as expectations grow around the club.

TelOne played training matches against Bulawayo Chiefs at Chiefs Village on Wednesday and Nkayi United yesterday, with coach Herbert Maruwa using the fixtures to test structure and balance as he fine-tuned the team ahead of the season.

Club president Oscar Nduwere said the message within the camp is clear: the time for steady progress has passed, and the club now wants results.

“We’ve done a lot of things right over the last two years and now it’s time to see results,” said Nduwere. “We are no longer just building. We are here to challenge.”

Maruwa said the camp produced the intensity and cohesion the technical team had hoped for as they seek to elevate the team’s performance.

“Our tour was good and we managed to prepare well. This was part of team building because the players still need to understand each other better,” he said. “It will be a difficult season for everyone but we need to improve. Last season we finished fifth and this time we want to do better.”

TelOne have strengthened their squad with a blend of youth and experience as they look to turn season by season progress into consistent results.

“Our recruitment was deliberate. We wanted balance,” said Nduwere. “We have exciting young players but we also needed experience to manage games, especially in the last 10 minutes.”

Key players expected to drive the campaign include Innocent Mucheneka, Jerry Chipangura, goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi, Chelsea Nyakope, Marvelous Chigumira, Frank Makarati, Leeroy Murape and forward Tawanda Macheke.

The club believes improved game management in the closing stages — an area that cost them critical points last season — will be crucial in their bid to climb the table.

“This league doesn’t forgive complacency but we believe we have the quality to push for silverware,” said Nduwere.

With the PSL season beginning early next month and preparations intensifying nationwide, TelOne enter the campaign convinced that their steady rise has brought them to a turning point where ambition now genuinely matches expectation.