Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Zimbabwe coach Joey Antipas has heaped praise on Warriors wonder boy Tawanda Maswanhise after he was named by the Confederation of African Football among the Most Promising Talents at the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations 2025 finals.
Maswanhise, who caught the eye with a breathtaking individual performance in Zimbabwe’s last AFCON Group B clash with neighbours South Africa, was named alongside Cameroon’s Christian Kofane and Inao Oula of Cote d’Ivoire.
The 23-year-old’s recognition should have come as a slap in the face of sceptics, who included his own national team coach Marian “Mario” Marinica, who relegated the attacking midfielder to the bench in the opening two matches against Egypt and Angola.
Marinica somehow felt he lacked “fire in the belly”, which was the reason he was given only two minutes against Egypt and was totally overlooked for the second game against Angola.
But when the opportunity arose against familiar foes South Africa, Maswanhise grabbed it with both hands. The highlight that left the football world spellbound was the moment he took on the South African defenders head-on, leaving Sphephelo Sithole at sea with a sharp change of direction.
He then glided past Teboho Mokoena and fooled Mbekezeli Mbokazi before finishing with a low shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, in a brilliant show of technique combined with high-level confidence befitting the big stage.
The whole evening, he tormented the South African back line, and he smashed a shot off the post and later played a key role in the build-up to his team’s second goal when his effort deflected off Modibo and into the net.
Despite Zimbabwe losing 2-3, Maswanhise’s performance in this match alone was enough to convince the organisers at CAF to include his name among the three Most Promising Talents at the AFCON 2025 finals. Former Warriors coach Antipas was thrilled.
“I think this is an excellent gesture from CAF,” he said.
“The boy deserves the recognition because he is a special talent. Look at what he did when he got the opportunity to play, he nearly turned it around in great style.
“It’s unfortunate we ended up on the losing end, but he should have been the Man of the Match,” said Antipas.
Maswanhise has demonstrated his AFCON form was not a fluke. He has been enjoying a purple patch for his Scottish Premiership side Motherwell, where he has now scored in three consecutive matches since his return from the AFCON finals. He has now taken his tally to 15 goals in all Scottish competitions this season.
Antipas believes Maswanhise will be an asset for Zimbabwean football in the not-so-distant future.
“He is still a young boy and is definitely one of the players that will take us to the Promised Land in the near future.
“The boy is just brilliant if you look at what he is doing in the Scottish League. Of course, the level is not the same as the English Premiership but he is definitely making waves.
“It shows the future is bright for Zimbabwe. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t go further at this AFCON, but on the whole you could see we have a great future. I think the national team coaches should build around him and the other upcoming young talents we have in our ranks.
“Of course, we need good administration. These players need good management. You know footballers sometimes have issues, but we have to listen to them. If we don’t get to accommodate their fears and anxieties, that’s how we lose them,” said Antipas.
Maswanhise has attracted attention from bigger clubs, including Scottish giants Celtic. Former Celtic and Republic of Ireland forward Cillian Sheridan believes Motherwell will be “genuinely lucky” to retain the forward this transfer window.
“They’ll genuinely be lucky to keep a hold of him,” he told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast.
“The start he’s had, the goals he’s scored, and he’s continuing to do it at the international level in a big tournament. So, it’ll be interesting if they can hold on to him in January, I think.”
Meanwhile, teammate Marshall Munetsi who missed the AFCON tournament has already secured a loan move from English Premiership outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers to French Ligue 1 side Paris FC.
Munetsi, who was missing in action recently with a calf injury, has since recovered from the knock and is expected to play a big part in Paris FC’s survival bid.
He was distraught to miss out on the AFCON tournament.
Senegal’s Sadio Mané was named the AFCON Player of the Tournament for a second time, having won the award alongside Senegal’s first title in 2021.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz won the Puma Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals in six games.
Reigning CAF Goalkeeper of the Year Yassine Bounou was awarded the tournament’s Golden Glove for the Best Goalkeeper.
Senegal won the AFCON 2025 trophy after edging hosts Morocco 1-0 in extra-time of a drama-filled final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night, courtesy of a superb strike from Pape Gueye.
