Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
WOLVERHAMPTON Wanderers Under-21 striker Leon Chiwome is one of the foreign-based players the country is keeping her fingers crossed will pledge full allegiance to playing for the Warriors.
The forward received a call-up for the World Cup Qualifiers played in November though he could not make the trip but the country is still hopeful he will wear the Warriors jersey.
The youngster was born in the United Kingdom to an English mother and a Zimbabwean father.
Born in Brighton, the 17-year-old was signed from AFC Wimbledon in July 2022 after being scouted while playing for Alfold FC and the Sussex Schools FA team.
Chiwome spent just over a year at Plough Lane before making the move to Compton Park as a scholar following an intensive period of scouting.
He has already represented the Under-18s and Under-21s in old gold, while also pulling on the Three Lions shirt at England Under-17 level, netting a hat-trick against Germany in an international friendly.
Chiwome scored in his first two fixtures for Wolves and has thrived in his new environment.
He joins a host of foreign-based players.
They include Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, midfielder Andy Rinomhota of Cardiff and Leicester City forward Tawanda Maswanhise. There is also Reading defender Tivonge Rushesha.
Zimbabwe are being coached by Baltermar Brito, the Brazilian-born mentor who has come to the limelight as a former assistant coach of the world-famous Jose Mourinho at leading European club — Chelsea and Inter Milan.
The 71-year-old Brito was appointed Zimbabwe’s interim coach in September to take charge of the Warriors’ World Cup qualifiers, up until mid-2024.
Online Reporter