Online Reporter
Onward Gangata in GWERU
TelOne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
TELONE’S home form is quickly turning into a problem they can no longer brush aside after another defeat at Ascot left them without a win on their own turf so far this season.
Simba Bhora needed just one clear moment to take all three points yesterday, Tichaona Chipunza forcing the ball home five minutes before half-time to punish a side that once again controlled the ball but failed to make it count.
For TelOne, the pattern is now hard to ignore. This was their third straight home loss across competitions and a continuation of a slide that stretches back to last year, where they have now lost six of their last ten matches at Ascot.
Their last victory at the venue came in early October against Kwekwe United.
Coach Herbert “Jompano’’ Maruwa admitted the concern but stopped short of panic.
“It’s tough that we lost, but it’s still early days. We need to go back and work so that we start collecting points,” he said.
TelOne had enough of the ball to shape the game but rarely looked convincing in front of goal. Their build-up play was neat until it reached the final third, where passes became rushed and predictable.
Too often they tried to lift balls behind the defence, a tactic that played straight into Simba Bhora’s strength in the air. Simba Bhora stayed patient and compact, waiting for their moment. It arrived just before the break when a scramble in the box fell kindly for Chipunza, who reacted quickest to turn the ball in from close range.
That goal changed the tone of the contest. TelOne pushed forward after the restart but found a defence well organised around Webster Tafa, with the visitors comfortable soaking up pressure and limiting attempts to speculative shots from distance.
The closest TelOne came was midway through the second half when Marvelous Chigumira’s free-kick forced William Thole into a sharp intervention.
Leeroy Murape later fired narrowly wide after a rare clean exchange around the box.
There was one last chance in stoppage time, Innocent Muchaneka striking through a crowded area, but Thole stood firm again to preserve the lead. Simba Bhora coach Mandla “Lulu’’ Mpofu was pleased with the discipline his side showed away from home.
“I appreciate the work the team put in. We were organised and disciplined. We knew they have dangerous strikers, but we managed the game well and took our chance,” he said.
The result gives Simba Bhora a second away win of the campaign and underlines their growing confidence on the road.
For TelOne, the numbers are beginning to tell a different story. Possession without purpose, pressure without reward, and a home ground that is no longer offering any advantage. The longer it goes on, the harder it becomes to explain away.
