Innocent Kurira [email protected]
MONGAMELI Tshuma has taken the long route back into the Warriors fold but the Highlanders midfielder is determined to make his second opportunity count after earning a late call-up to the national team.
Initially overlooked when coach Ramon Catala named his final squad for Zimbabwe’s November Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Tshuma has received a reprieve and is now part of the Warriors contingent preparing for a crucial double-header against Equatorial Guinea.
His return comes with a clear message: he is hungrier than ever to represent his country.
“I am feeling great. I want to thank the Lord for the opportunity. I want to express myself and do the best for the country. I am coming back more hungry,” said Tshuma.
“We have to do our best for the country.”
The midfielder will be particularly eager to embrace the opportunity after the disappointment of initially missing out on the final squad.
An injury to South Africa-based midfielder Jonah Fabisch opened the door for Tshuma, who had been included in the provisional squad before being omitted from the final selection.
The late invitation provides another opportunity for a player whose performances in the domestic Premiership have increasingly attracted attention.
At Highlanders, Tshuma has developed into an influential attacking midfielder, combining creativity and close control with an ability to unlock opposing defences.
His individual performances have also featured prominently in discussions surrounding the 2026 Soccer Star of the Year selection, with the midfielder appearing in three of the four informal Best XI selections considered in an earlier assessment.
Although Highlanders’ overall league position has not always reflected the quality of their individual performers, Tshuma has remained one of the players attracting attention through his consistency and contribution.
Now, the challenge is to translate that influence into the national team setup.
Zimbabwe face Equatorial Guinea in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Thursday before hosting the return fixture at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on November 16.
The two encounters carry significant weight in the Warriors’ pursuit of qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Zimbabwe opened their qualifying campaign with an impressive 3-2 away victory over Sierra Leone before suffering a 2-1 home defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With the qualification race delicately poised, the Warriors will be looking to secure positive results from the November assignments to strengthen their position.
For Tshuma, the international window presents an opportunity to demonstrate that his domestic performances can withstand the demands of international football.
He will also be eager to make the most of the opportunity to work alongside established national team players while strengthening his case for sustained involvement in the Warriors setup.
His inclusion may have come under unexpected circumstances, but the Highlanders midfielder is not dwelling on how the opportunity arose. Instead, his attention is firmly on what he can contribute.
Having initially missed out, Tshuma now has another chance to make his mark, and he will be determined to repay the faith shown in him.
