Sinokubonga Nkala
Onward Gangata
TELONE goalkeeper, Criss Mverechena has praised his coach, Hebert “Jompano” Maruwa for reviving his career in a fairytale season in which he has won his team’s Player of the Year gong.
Mverechena’s career appeared to be at crossroads after his release from Greenfuel at the end of the 2023 season when his contract with the Chisumbanje side expired. He spent the first-half of the just-ended Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season clubless and job hunting.
But when Maruwa was appointed as the head coach at TelOne in mid-season, he made Mverechena one of his first signings, his task to help the team survive relegation. The gangly goalminder had a stellar season between the sticks for the Gweru side, inspiring the WiFi boys to end the season in 10th place on the log standings.
He managed to keep 11 clean sheets in 16 outings for TelOne and also scored one goal. On Friday,
Mverechena was rewarded as TelOne’s Player of the Season at a ceremony held in the Midlands capital.
The 28-year-old paid tribute to Maruwa for the kiss of life on his career.
“It is not easy to do what coach Jompano did,” Mverechena told the Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Online Reporter
