Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza and Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE international Tawanda Chirewa has opened up about his special relationship with Marshal Munetsi saying it has helped his development at both Premier League side Wolves and the War-riors.
Chirewa, who made an appearance from the bench in Wolves 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, said the Warriors vice-captain has helped him in a lot of areas as he seeks a breakthrough at both club and national team.
His statements come at a time when both players are expected to play a big part for Warriors coach Marian Marinica team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations set for Morocco in December.
Preparations for the tournament started yesterday with the first phase which included local-based players and other foreign-based players that are on the peripheries and seeking to prove themselves.
After the first phase of the preparations, it is when Chirewa, Munetsi and the rest of the established foreign-based players are expected to join for the final preparations.
Speaking exclusively to Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday, Chirewa said Munetsi has been a pillar.
“He is someone I talk to day in and day out and he kind of mentors me and makes me stay focused,” said Chirewa.
Munetsi, who has played a bigger role at Wolves, was an unused substitute against Aston Villa.
“We both know how much we care about playing for Zimbabwe and it’s something we have an align-ment about. We will do anything for our nation, and when we go to AFCON, I think you guys will see the best versions we can possibly give.”
Although Zimbabwe are underdogs in a group that also have rivals South Africa, Egypt and Angola, it is expected that they could surprise many on their day.
Asked whether the AFCON finals is already playing out in his head, he said: “I wouldn’t say I am think-ing about it every day because I know the battles I have to deal with here at club level, but definitely I can’t wait. I truly believe we are going to do something special and I can’t wait to go and show it to the nation.”
Both Chirewa and Munetsi will have to work hard on their confidence given the current challenges Wolves are facing, placed at the bottom of the Premier League without a win.
“Hundred percent there’s hope… we know what we have to do and I believe we will do it. I don’t think one player has lost hope,” said Chirewa.
On the recent managerial changes, he said, “It’s been a good change in terms of the way training is, I have enjoyed… It’s been tough but that’s the only way we are going to improve and for me I love this kind of training because it’s similar to a game day and that’s the most important.”
Chirewa says he is open to position changes if it means opportunities for him.
“I definitely can play a few positions… I would say for Zimbabwe I play a bit higher than I do for Wolves and it’s good because if that’s the way I can get minutes, I am happy to do it, and I think my game is quite versatile and as long as I show it I have no issues playing anywhere in midfield,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing first Warriors camp, coach Marinica said he was happy with how all the 25 players he had in training carried themselves physically and technically.
“I feel like we have a lot of players who can give us what we want. It doesn’t matter where one is play-ing or their previous experience is; we just want players who can have the job done.”
Marinica, who led Malawi to the Round of 16 in the 2021 AFCON (played in 2022) in Cameroon, has been given the task of shepherding the Warriors through the group stages.
He got a 1-3 chastening against Algeria in Saudi Arabia in a sparring game which Zimbabwe dominated in the second half.
Then he masterminded the Warriors’ first win in over a year when leading them to a 2-1 win over Qa-tar in yet another November friendly in Doha.
While Marinica continues with his winnowing before taking up his grain for the AFCON, highly-regarded MWOS midfielder Aboubakar Moffat could be ruled out due to injury.
At least two players based abroad, Macauley Bonne and Cobert Chimedza (Jnr), are expected to join the training camp today.
