Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WOLVES midfielder Tawanda Chirewa stepped off the Villa Park bench with a spark in his eyes and a point to prove.
And, even though the 1-0 loss dragged Wolves into trouble, he walked away sounding more fired up than ever.
The 22-year-old made his first appearance of the season in that defeat to Aston Villa.
He came on for the final twenty minutes and snapped into tackles, drove at defenders and tried to lift a team stuck at the foot of the table with only two points to their name.
It was the worst start in the league and the pressure was heavy, yet Chirewa stood tall.
“Hundred percent there’s hope we know what we have to do and I believe we will do it.
“I don’t think one player has lost hope,” said Chirewa.
Those words cut through the gloom around Wolves and showed a player who refuses to accept the sinking mood around him.
He credited the edge in his game to new head coach Rob Edwards, whose sessions have pushed the squad harder than before.
Chirewa spoke about the shift with the intensity of a man who wants that shirt and is ready to fight for it.
“It’s been a good change in terms of the way training is, I have enjoyed it’s been tough but that’s the only way we are going to improve and for me I love this kind of training because it’s similar to a game day and that’s the most important,” he said.
Minutes are scarce and competition is fierce, so Chirewa is ready to show his value anywhere across midfield.
He called it flexibility, not a position shift, but it was clear he will do whatever it takes to stay on the team sheet.
“I definitely can play a few positions, I would say for Zimbabwe I play a bit higher than I do for Wolves and it’s good because if that’s the way I can get minutes I am happy to do it and I think my game is quite versatile and as long as I show it I have no issues playing anywhere in midfield.”
And, while he is battling for space in Europe, his thoughts are never far from home.
AFCON is calling and so is the weight of national pride.
He knows the job at Wolves has to come first, yet the fire in his voice rose when he spoke about Zimbabwe.
“I wouldn’t say I am thinking about it every day because I know the battles I have to deal with here at club level but definitely I can’t wait.
“I truly believe we are going to do something special and I can’t wait to go and show it to the nation.
“He (Marshall Munetsi) is someone I talk to day in day out and he kind of mentors me and makes me stay focused.
“We both know how much we care about playing for Zimbabwe and it’s something we have an alignment about. “We will do anything for our nation and when we go to AFCON, I think you guys will see the best versions we can possibly give,” said Chirewa.
He sounded like a man gearing up for a fight on two fronts. Wolves need rescuing.
Zimbabwe needs inspiring.
Chirewa wants to deliver on both counts and he is not hiding from any of it.
