Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE International Tawanda Maswanhise has become the EIGHTH Motherwell player to score more than 20 goals in a season in the last 63 years.
This is after his brace over the weekend against Dundee United took his tally to 21 goals in all competitions.
Other players who have managed such a feat are include Kevin Van Veen in the 2022/23 season, John Sutton in 2013/14, Michael Higdon 2012/13, Brian Mclaughlin 1981/82, Willie Pettigrew 1974/75, Diixie Dean 1968/69 and back in the Joe McBride 1963/64 season.
Yesterday, Maswanhise was thankful of his teammates’ support and indicated he needed to score and assist more to help the team.
“When I come off the park after only scoring one it’s good that I scored, but I just feel like I need to be scoring more,” said Maswanhise.
“I go into games thinking ‘I just need to score that second goal to kill the game… or even provide some assists.”
At Fir Park on Saturday, he converted a first-half penalty before adding a deflected strike 60 seconds after the restart to seal a 2-0 victory.
The Zimbabwe international’s father Jeffrey was a top sprinter who represented the country at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.
And he seems to have inherited the speed.
“My dad was a sprinter and he was at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, competing for Zimbabwe. He taught me running mechanics and stuff,” said Maswanhise.
“It’s helped me quite a lot really. If I didn’t have the speed, I don’t know what else I would have because I haven’t got too much strength.”
Indeed, his searing pace caused Dundee United constant problems throughout Saturday’s encounter. He reveals it’s also the post-match analysis with his father that truly sharpens his edge.
“If I haven’t done well I won’t beat myself up about it, but I’ll certainly hear it from my dad,” Maswanhise revealed.
“He watches every minute of every game. He pores over our games and always calls me to say if there is a little problem or I didn’t do something.”
His opening goal on Saturday was controversial, with Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin accusing Maswanhise of simulation after contact from Vicko Sevelj.
“Maswanhise went down like he’d been punched with full force in the ribs,” Goodwin fumed post-match. “It gives VAR something to look at, but I would love a referee to see it again and say ‘that’s not a penalty’ and play on.”
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou offered robust defence of his star striker, insisting Sevelj had only himself to blame.
“As I see it, there’s a movement with the arm which looks like a strike towards Tawanda,” Askou countered. “There was a lot of infighting in the game but, as far as I know, it still isn’t allowed.”
Whatever the debate, Maswanhise showed ice-cool composure to dispatch the spot-kick, before his deflected second effectively ended the contest.
Maswanhise has now surpassed the milestone he had set of 20 goals.
But for him, the numbers merely reflect his broader ambitions. Having experienced Leicester’s FA Cup triumph in 2021 as a non-playing squad member, he is determined to create his own silverware memories.
“When I first came here I said to myself, ‘this is going to be a platform where I can really showcase my talent,” he reflected.
“Scoring 20 (league) goals this season could be a possibility. I’m not saying it’s one of my targets, but it’s a possibility the way I’m going right now.”
