Online Reporter
Sports Reporters
THE Warriors will be back in action soon and, for new coach Ramon Catala, it feels good to see some of his key players in prime shape ahead of the 2027 AFCON assignments.
The Spanish coach’s first game, in charge of the Warriors, will be a tricky away assignment against Sierra Leone on neutral soil in Morocco on September 24.
Four days later, the Warriors will host the DRC, who featured at this year’s World Cup, in their first game at the refurbished National Sports Stadium in an age.
Catala will certainly be happy that two of his key players – defender Munashe Garananga and forward Thando Ngwenya – have hit a rich vein of form.
Ngwenya was named the South African Betway Premiership Player of the Month for August while Garananga was named in the Danish Super League Team of the Week.
The gangly defender plays for Lyngby.
Ngwenya is having a dream season in South Africa where he has become the first player to score in the opening six league matches of the season.
The record of scoring in each of the first five league matches was held by Zambia’s AFCON winning captain, Chris Katongo, and had stayed unbroken for twenty years.
“I want to thank my teammates and technical team because I can’t do it alone,” Ngwenya told the South African media.
“I leave everything to God and I hope to continue scoring in each and every game.”
Ngwenya, who currently leads the Betway Premiership Golden Boot race with six goals to his name, scored five goals in four league matches during August.
His impressive performances saw him beat TS Galaxy’s Victor Letsoalo and Orlando Pirates defender Lebone Seema to the monthly award.
“I am delighted to receive this award because it reflects the work that I have been putting in with my teammates and the technical team,” said Ngwenya.
“Scoring five goals in four matches is a good start, but I know the season is still long.
“I have to remain focused, continue working hard and help AmaZulu achieve our objectives.”
Ngwenya endured an injury-disrupted campaign last season but has responded strongly, establishing himself as one of the South African top flight’s early-season standout performers.
“Last season was difficult because of the injury, so my biggest target was to return stronger and remain fit,” he said.
“I am enjoying my football again and gaining confidence with every match.
“As a striker, you always want to score, but contributing to the success of the team is the most important thing.”
He added:
“Representing Zimbabwe is always a great honour. Being included in the provisional squad shows that my performances are being noticed, but I know that I still have to earn my place in the final team,” said Ngwenya.
“If I get the opportunity, I will give everything for the country. Every Zimbabwean player wants to make the supporters proud.”
Garananga has become a very key player in the Warriors defence.
While Lyngby have won just one of their opening seven league games of the season, and lie eighth in the 12-team league, his qualities have been shining brightly.
His side have just six points and already trail leaders FC Copenhagen by a dozen points.
Midtylland are in second place three points behind.
Lyngby have already conceded 11 goals in their opening seven games but such has been Garananga’s powerful performance, in the heart of that defensive mess, he continues to display performances good enough to win him a place in the league’s Team of the Week.
The big defender, who was playing in the Scottish Premiership last season, has become a nomad in the European leagues.
Bongani Ndlovu