TelOne FC Part Ways With Chaminuka, Appoint Joel Lupahla As New Head Coach

Gweru — Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) side TelOne Football Club has fired it's head coach Saul Chaminuka and appointing Joel Lupahla as the new head coach with immediate effect.

In an official statement on Tuesday, August 11, the Wifi Boys confirmed the developments, saying the separation with Chaminuma was mutual.

“TelOne Football Club and Head Coach Saul Chaminuka have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately, following strategic discussions between both parties.

"The club extends its sincere gratitude to Coach Chaminuka for his service to the team. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” the statement read.

Chaminuka had taken charge of the Gweru-based side in May this year after the departure of Herbert Maruwa, stepping in at a time when the team was already battling inconsistency and hovering near the relegation zone.

TelOne FC former coach, Saul Chaminuka.

Despite his experience, which includes previous stints at Dynamos and ZPC Kariba, results remained elusive for the telecommunications-backed club, leaving them in a precarious position on the log with the season entering its decisive stages.

The club moved to secure a familiar face in Lupahla, who returns to the institution he once guided to significant success.

 “TelOne Football Club has appointed Joel Lupahla as their new head coach with immediate effect.

"Lupahla returns to the club he guided to the 2018 Central Region Division One title and top-flight promotion, bringing a wealth of experience and familiar expertise back to the team,” the official announcement stated.

Although he later moved into other roles within the technical setup due to licensing requirements before departing, Lupahla's return marks a full-circle moment for both the coach and the club.

The appointment comes shortly after Lupahla’s exit from Zvishavane based PSL side, FC Platinum.

The Zvishavane side mutually parted ways with him and his technical team at the end of July, subsequently appointing South African coach, Thabo Senong.

Prior to that, Lupahla had enjoyed a productive spell at Simba Bhora, guiding the Shamva outfit to a commendable third-place finish in the 2025 Premiership season.

Sources close to the club indicate that Lupahla is expected to begin work immediately, with his first training session already lined up at the home of TelOne FC, Ascot Stadium in Gweru.

His initial assignment in the dugout is set to be a challenging fixture against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday, 16 August, as TelOne continues its fight to secure Premiership survival.

Club president Oscah Nduwure and the board are understood to have prioritised stability and experience in making the dual announcements, seeking to inject fresh impetus into a campaign that has so far fallen short of the side’s ambitions after a commendable fifth-place finish in the 2025 season.