By Onward Gangata
TELONE are confident that the homologation of Ascot stadium will bring good fortunes and boost their chances of surviving relegation.
The WiFi boys are currently placed 15th on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings with 26 points.
They have been using Bata stadium as their home ground where they struggled to get positive results.
TelOne played 12 matches at Bata stadium winning once, posting eight draws and three losses.
The poor run of form at home forced the Gweru side to renovate Ascot stadium, their preferred home ground.
And now they will have an opportunity to host their last five premier league games at the facility.
Coach, Hebert Maruwa told this publication that the greenlight to use Ascot stadium wouldn’t have come at a better time.
“Its refreshing to have Ascot homologation because it is our home ground for many years,” said Maruwa.
“And we always use it as our training ground, so it’s going to help us to move away from relegation.”
TelOne will host log leaders Simba Bhora this coming Sunday and will probably need more than just home advantage to get a result against the Tonderai Ndiraya coached outfit.
However, Maruwa believes playing at Ascot gives his side an extra advantage.
He reckons the facility is closer to the team’s fans mainly drawn from the surrounding suburbs of Mtapa,Mambo and Ascot.
“The suburbs around the stadium, that is, Ascot, Mambo and Mtapa that is our fan base, so it’s good for our supporters that we are back home,” he added.
WHAT THE FANS HAD TO SAY
TelOne supporters association chairperson Asibu Mususa echoed Maruwa’s sentiments saying shifting to Ascot stadium will be like a kiss of life for the WiFi boys.
“We are very happy with the delevopment, it is good for us as fans,”he said .
“It’s cost effective for us as fans given the stadium’s proximity to the fan base,
“Our hope is that we will make our home ground a fortress for the remainder of the season as we fight to survive relegation.”
Ascot stadium was last used for top flight matches by Whawha during the 2022 season.
