dyton mupawaenda
Langton Nyakwenda
ZIMBABWE international midfielder, Tawanda Chirewa, is almost back to full fitness, after over two months on the treatment table.
The Derby County star suffered a thigh muscle injury early October and also missed Zimbabwe’s last four Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
But the 21-year-old has started training and featured for Derby County’s Under-21 side last week.
He is expected to be back with the senior team soon.
“Chirewa has been out for about two and a half months now and he has been working on his fitness, trying to get back,” said a source close to the player.
“He has been with the squad for the past couple of games, hope sooner or later he will be back playing.
“So far so good with his progress in training and fitness,” said the source.
Chirewa’s return to fitness should be good news for Zimbabwe national team coach Michael Nees, who is already looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers which resume in March 2025.
The 21-year-old star was outstanding in Zimbabwe’s two World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa in June.
He scored a brilliant goal when the Warriors lost 1-3 against Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11.
But, a lot can happen between now and March 17 when Zimbabwe host Benin in a Group C qualifier and Nees will be praying his players stay injury free.
Zimbabwe anchor the Group with two points from four matches and they are five points behind log leaders Rwanda.
The Warriors’ points came from two draws against log leaders Rwanda and Nigeria.
Despite a rather below par start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, Warriors coach Nees thinks Zimbabwe can still recover.
The German was not in charge when Zimbabwe played Rwanda, Nigeria, Lesotho and South Africa in their opening four qualifiers, as he was appointed in August.
Nees is basking in glory after leading Zimbabwe to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals to be played in Morocco in December.
He also intends to use next year’s World Cup qualifiers to prepare for the AFCON finals.
Online Reporter