Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
UPON noticing a group of Zimbabweans at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on New Year’s Eve, a South African security detail immediately inquired about one Warriors player.
“What’s the name of this boy, the one who scored that brilliant goal against us, Maswanhise, right?” the official said, struggling to pronounce the name Maswanhise.
“That boy is good, what he did to Mbekezeli Mbokazi was something else, but Mbokazi is also a good defender, very young and promising,” added the airport official.
Maswanhise, who plays his club football with Motherwell in the Scottish top-flight league has been trending across the continent after his dazzling performance against Bafana Bafana in the final Group B game at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Monday.
He scored a wonder goal, one that reminded many of the legendary Peter Ndlovu, and had a big hand in Zimbabwe’s second as the Warriors lost 2-3 against their rivals in agonising fashion.
The 23-year-old Maswanhise roasted two South African players, including Major League Soccer-bound Mbokazi, before firing past the highly-rated Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to make it 1-1 after 19 minutes. That move has been trending on various social media platforms, making Maswanhise an instant hero.
While Mbokazi who is just 20, represents the present and future of South African football, Motherwell hotshot striker Maswanhise is one of the exciting young players from Zimbabwe who are prompting many to believe the future could be bright for the Warriors.
Alongside fellow European-based stars like Tawanda Chirewa, Jonah Fabisch and Bill Antonio, Maswanhise represents the future of Zimbabwe’s senior team. This emerging crop of players could play a huge role for Zimbabwe, who are now shifting focus to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which are being pencilled in for March.
South African football legend Helman “Midnight Express” Mkhalele is one of the respected voices, who believe in Zimbabwe’s emerging talent. The Orlando Pirates legend is also the Bafana Bafana assistant coach.
He spoke to Zimpapers Sports Hub in Marrakech.
“I must say the Zimbabwe national team is improving a lot,” said Mkhalele.
The Africa Cup of Nations winner as a player back in 1996 has noticed a difference between the Zimbabwe that South Africa played in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in October, with the one that turned up in Marrakech on Monday.
Back in October, Zimbabwe held Bafana Bafana to a goalless draw at the Moses Mabhida in Durban, a result that delayed South Africa’s qualification party for the 2026 World Cup finals.
