Lupahla Challenges TelOne to Overcome Confidence Crisis

Gweru — TelOne FC coach Joel Lupahla has challenged his players to rebuild their confidence and eliminate costly defensive mistakes after another Castle Lager Premier Soccer League defeat left the Gweru side under pressure in the closing stages of the season.

Lupahla said TelOne’s tendency to concede avoidable goals was undermining the team’s ability to compete, with players struggling to recover mentally after falling behind.

His concerns followed Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to FC Hunters at Ascot Stadium, where TelOne fought back from two goals down but ultimately paid the price for a poor first-half display.

“The two goals that we conceded in the first half, I think they were too soft. And this is what we have been doing, conceding soft goals,” Lupahla said after the match.

The defeat extended TelOne’s difficult run in the league, with the club sitting 17th on 22 points after 31 matches.

The position leaves them in a precarious place as the 2026 season campaign approaches its final stage.

Lupahla said the psychological effect of conceding early had become a concern, suggesting that the players were finding it difficult to respond with confidence once opponents took the lead.

“When you concede a goal, in our players’ minds, they have that feeling that it has started again,” he said.

The coach, however, found encouragement in his side’s second-half response, when TelOne showed greater urgency and scored twice to threaten a comeback.

Substitute Bruno Mtigo pulled one back in the 55th minute after Hunters had established a two-goal advantage through Terrence Dzvukamanja and Delight Gandari in the 25th and 27th minutes.

Tadiwanashe Huni restored Hunters’ two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute, but substitute Jerry Chipangura struck nine minutes later to set up a tense finish.

TelOne could not find an equaliser, leaving Lupahla disappointed despite the improvement after the interval.

“I think in the second half, they showed what they can do,” he said.

The result was particularly frustrating for the hosts, who had drawn 0-0 away to Manica Diamonds at Sakubva Stadium in their previous league match on October 10.

Lupahla said the team remained determined to fight on despite the pressure, with the coach calling for renewed belief as TelOne seek to finish the season strongly.

“We are going to continue pushing,” he said.

For Hunters, the victory strengthened their bid to establish themselves in the top flight after promotion from Division One.

Coach Nesbert Saruchera said the team was focused on securing its place in the league while giving young players opportunities to develop.

“We really wanted to stay afloat so that we introduce a lot of young boys to parade them in the Premier League,” Saruchera said.

Hunters’ progress has also been supported by their involvement in the Chibuku Super Cup and the Munhumutapa Cup, according to Saruchera, who described the team’s achievements as a source of motivation.

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