Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TAWANDA Maswanhise is back from injury, and straight back on the score-sheet.
The Motherwell forward returned from injury on Saturday and scored in a 3-2 defeat to Falkirk, wasting little time getting back into the groove after missing Zimbabwe’s Four Nations Tournament in Botswana.
It had been a frustrating two weeks on the sidelines. For a player who has been one of Zimbabwe’s most consistent performers in Europe this season, missing national duty stung.
But the response was immediate.
His latest strike takes him to 16 goals for the campaign, keeping him among the leading scorers in the Scottish Premiership and underlining his growing influence at Motherwell.
He had already been recognised for that form after picking up the club’s Player of the Month award for February.
Saturday’s result did not go his team’s way, but Maswanhise still made his mark.
“I am happy to add another goal, though it is disappointing to do that in a losing position. As a team, we gave it our all. It was unfortunate that we ended up on the losing side, and we seek to rectify that in our next encounter,” he said.
The injury that ruled him out of the Warriors assignment now looks like a brief interruption rather than a disruption.
“It was disappointing to miss out on playing for Zimbabwe, but these things happen in football. I had a small issue, but the medical team here were brilliant with me. I told the gaffer I was ready to go, and I am just happy I could help the team with a goal today.”
He has kept his approach simple.
“The standards don’t drop, no matter how many you score. The idea is to keep going and try to use every chance that comes my way.
“This has nothing to do with what stage I am playing at. For me, it’s all about continuous delivery and getting positive results.”
Attention now shifts to the next international window.
Zimbabwe return to action at the end of May in England for another Four Nations Cup, where they are set to face Jamaica, Nigeria and India. It is a chance for players to push their case again.
Maswanhise is already looking that way.
“The team is working to be competitive, to be in a position to play against anyone in the world. But it’s not a one-day thing, a lot of work has to be done, with a lot of resources invested. It’s a process, and as a player, I am heavily committed to it,” he said.
For now, he has his rhythm back.
