Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
England-born Warriors midfielder Tawanda Chirewa never needed a trip to Zimbabwe to discover where he belongs.
He already knew.
Growing up in England never diluted his connection to the country his parents called home.
Their determination to preserve Zimbabwean traditions and values meant his recent visit to the country simply confirmed what had always been part of his life.
For the Wolverhampton Wanderers and Warriors midfielder, Zimbabwe was never somewhere he needed to find. It was always home.
“I will describe the experience (of the recent visit) as amazing, as something which has definitely connected me deeper to my roots, but it’s something that I was already in touch with,” Chirewa reflected.
“It was just a great experience for me to go back and see things on the ground.
“I grew up in England, but my household was not English, so nothing really stood out to me. It was as I expected and it just felt normal.”
His parents had made sure Zimbabwe was part of everyday life long before he first pulled on the Warriors jersey.
“My mum and my dad were very keen on making sure that I understood the culture and traditions in Zimbabwe, so this wasn’t me learning something new, but witnessing it,” said Chirewa.
One of the most memorable moments of the visit came when Chirewa met President Mnangagwa, an experience he describes as one of the proudest of his career.
“It was one of the most special things I have done and it’s something I will always be proud of,” he said.
“The message I took away was that I should keep showing the world how great Zimbabwe is, its people, its footballers and everything about the country, then I will definitely do that.”
Away from the formal engagements, Chirewa visited Baradzanwa Cultural Village in Mazowe, where one traditional meal quickly became a favourite.
“Sadza and oxtail was my favourite. I was eating it every day,” he laughed.
Football was never far away.
A visit to Rufaro Stadium gave Chirewa his first taste of one of Zimbabwe’s great football venues.
Watching his Warriors teammates Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat turn out for Scottland, he experienced the atmosphere he hopes to enjoy himself one day.
“The atmosphere is amazing. Hopefully, one day I can play there myself. Everyone works hard and gives everything,” said Chirewa.
“I am hoping the level keeps improving as more players come back to the local league and play.”
While his immediate focus remains on continuing his development in Europe, Chirewa has not ruled out returning to play club football in Zimbabwe if the domestic game continues to grow.
“It’s very important for Zimbabwean players abroad to remain connected because that’s our home,” he said. “Hopefully, when the league reaches a good stage where I can still progress by playing in Zimbabwe, that’s something I would definitely want to do.
“It meant everything to me. I wanted to stay longer. It has made moving home seem much more plausible and realistic.”
But even that did not change how he sees himself.
“I don’t think it changed my identity. I knew who I was, I knew what I represented, I knew what the country meant to me,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say it made me more Zimbabwean now. I am Zimbabwean through and through.”
