Albert Andiseni-Mashingaidze
TelOne Football Club kicked off their 2025 Premier League campaign with a 4-1 victory over Triangle United Football Club at Ascot Stadium Gweru.
The excitement began in the 12th minute when TelOne F.C’s forward Tawanda Mucheke, found the back of the net after expertly converted a perfect low cross from L. Murape, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
“It was a great team effort,” Mucheke said after the match.
Liberty Murape delivered a fantastic ball, and I just had to finish it.
However, the lead was short-lived. Just ten minutes later, Triangle United Football Club equalized, catching TelOne off guard and sending a wave of anxiety through the home fans.
TelOne quickly regrouped as the first half drew to a close, Bruno Mtigo who had been a constant threat throughout the match, struck again for TelOne regaining the lead just a minute before halftime.
“That goal was crucial. It gave us the momentum we needed going into the second half,” Mtigo remarked.
The second half saw Triangle United pushing hard for an equalizer, and in the 65th minute, they were awarded a penalty after a controversial foul in the box.
However, the pressure proved too much for their striker, who missed the opportunity to level the score.
“We had our chances, but we just couldn’t capitalize,” Triangle’s coach Herbert Maruwa lamented in the post-match press conference.
As the match progressed, TelOne continued to dominate. In the 75th minute, Charles Navaga scored a stunning goal, extending TelOne’s lead to 3-1.
The home crowd erupted in cheers, and the players celebrated with unbridled joy.
The final blow came in the 85th minute when TelOne was awarded a penalty after Frank Makarati was pulled down in the box.
The stadium held its breath as Tawanda Mucheke stepped up to take the spot-kick. He coolly converted, sealing the 4-1 victory for TelOne.“
“Scoring the penalty was the icing on the cake,” Tawanda Mucheke said. “We worked hard for this win, and it feels great to start the season on such a high note.
Herbert Maruwa Telone Head Coach, who was visibly pleased with the boys’ performance, praised his team’s resilience and tactical execution.
“We came into this match with a clear game plan, and the players executed it perfectly,” he stated.
This win is just the beginning; we have a long season ahead, and we need to build on this momentum.
On the other side, Triangle United’s coach expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the season.
“We have to learn from our mistakes today, we had our chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.
“As the final whistle blew, TelOne celebrated their first win of the season, leaving the pitch with their heads held high.
The victory not only boosts their confidence but also sends a strong message to the rest of the league that TelOne is a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 Premier Soccer League.
In the same vein Highlanders Football Club cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over struggling Kwekwe United F.C at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
The match saw a memorable performance from two brothers, Ncube Brighton and Ncube Melikhaya, who scored the first two goals within an astonishing 20-minute span.
Ncube B opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and his brother Ncube M doubled the lead in the 19th minute, sending the Highlanders’ fans into raptures.
Highlanders’ dominance continued in the second half, with two more goals sealing the victory.
The win propels Highlanders to 5th position in the Premier Soccer League table, while Kwekwe United remains rooted at 17th position
