There were mixed reactions to TelOne coach Hebert Maruwa’s declaration after the WiFi Boys’ 1-0 victory over Dynamos at Ascot Stadium on Saturday.
Jompano, as the soft-spoken coach is affectionately known, didn’t mince his words when asked about TelOne’s targets for the season after the victory.
Golden Boot aspirant Washington Navaya sneaked back into the country following his trials at Durban City in South Africa and headed home the all-important goal for TelOne – his 11th of the season.
“After this win, we are now challenging for the championship. I can declare that,” Maruwa simply put.
The former Dynamos coach is only the second coach in the Premiership who has publicly declared his title ambition.
Simba Bhora’s Joel Luphahla was the first when he admitted that every defending champion will be fighting to retain their title.
TelOne are now third on the table, with 33 points, seven adrift of log leaders Simba Bhora, who are tied on 40 points with second-placed MWOS.
While Maruwa’s sentiments have generated a lot of debate across football circles, statistics do show that the WiFi Boys are in the title race.
What can stop TelOne from fighting for the championship when they are above Scottland, Ngezi Platinum and FC Platinum – three teams which many people believe are in the title race?
The WiFi Boys have lost just one of their last five league matches and even beat a star-studded Scottland at home.
They travel to Harare to face CAPS United on Saturday
