TelOne Are Running Out of Time After Heavy Defeat at Hardrock
By Mutape Tape · 9 September 2026
TelOne remain on 20 points with six matches left, and their coach admits some players appear to have given up.
TelOne are running out of time to save their season, and the 4 to 1 defeat to Hardrock exposed problems that go beyond the league table. The Gweru side remain on 20 points with six matches left. They are eight points behind FC Hunters, who occupy the last safe position, and the margin for another poor result is disappearing quickly.
Hardrock punished them at Chahwanda Stadium. Sambulo Simelane scored twice, while Donald Mudadi and Last Nyilenda added the other goals. Evans Katema scored for TelOne, but the visitors never looked close to turning the match around. Nqobizitha Masuku was then sent off after receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time, bringing a difficult afternoon to an ugly close.
The more worrying part came after the match. Coach Joel Luphahla said some players appeared to have given up. It was a striking admission from a coach who still has to persuade the same group that survival is possible. He also spoke about injuries, particularly hamstring problems, which have reduced his options late in the season. That leaves TelOne trying to fight relegation with a squad that is short on confidence and carrying physical problems at the same time.
The results elsewhere added to the pressure. AGAMA beat Manica Diamonds and moved five points clear of TelOne. FC Hunters drew with Ngezi Platinum Stars and moved onto 28 points. TelOne therefore need more than steady improvement. They need wins. A draw here and there will not be enough if the teams above them continue to pick up points.
Their next match against Ngezi Platinum Stars is another difficult assignment. Ngezi have spent most of the season near the top end of the table and are not the sort of opponent a struggling side would choose when confidence is low. Luphahla says survival is still possible. Mathematically, he is right. The bigger challenge is convincing his players that the mathematics still matter. TelOne have six matches to change the story. After Round 28, the question is no longer only whether they are good enough to stay up. It is whether they still believe they can.