Chaminuka turns to ‘old horses’ as TelOne chase PSL survival

Once again, veteran coach Saul Chaminuka has turned to his favorite type of player — the older, tried and tested — in his bid to help TelOne FC retain their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League status.

Chaminuka has brought in former Dynamos, Bikita Minerals, Manica Diamonds and Ngezi Platinum Stars striker Evans Katema. The dreadlocked forward also played for Zambian giants Zanaco FC.

The 38-year-old is TelOne FC’s latest signing, one the club hopes will add much-needed goals and impetus to a squad that has consistently misfired.

Katema joins the PSL side from a brief stint at Kwekwe United, where he scored four goals in 15 matches for the Central Region Soccer League outfit.

He is their second mid-season signing after winger Silas Songani, who made his debut in their goalless draw against FC Platinum last weekend. Katema bolsters The Wifi Boys’ strike force, which already includes Jerry Chipangura, Tawanda Macheke and Farai Mutatu.

TelOne FC players pose for a photo at Ascot stadium. Picture by TelOne FC/Facebook

HOW WILL KATEMA FARE AT TELONE FC?

How he will fare at the club remains to be seen, as Chaminuka has long placed his faith in aging players. From Black Rhinos to Bikita Minerals, GreenFuel to Kwekwe United, Chaminuka has made a career out of emergency appointments — arriving as a last resort.

On all occasions he has made sure to lure his type of players, the old, tried and tested. Masimba Mambare, Allen Gahadzikwa and Dennis Dauda have been his trusted lieutenants in recent times.

His side, TelOne FC, face PSL log leaders Scottland FC on Friday at Rufaro Stadium, a match they enter as underdogs given the stark difference in both teams’ fortunes. And Katema is available for selection.

Scottland sit at the summit of the PSL table on 46 points, while TelOne FC are 15th, trailing by a massive 29 points. Their last meeting at Ascot Stadium on 2 April ended 3-2 in favour of Scottland FC. TelOne FC were still under the mentorship of Herbert Maruwa at the time.

But they will hope to produce a defining win, like they did in the 2025 season when they beat Scottland 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium courtesy of Panashe Mutasa’s long-range strike on 21 June 2025.

RELATED STORY: TelOne sign veteran Silas Songani in bid to turn PSL season around