Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada
Deputy Sports Editor
HOLDING all things constant, Bafana Bafana’s Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Warriors’ Tawanda Maswanhise are headed for another showdown at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a tournament set to run from December 21 to January 18.
The two players had a fierce battle in the World Cup qualifiers, with Mbokazi seeing red towards end of the match. The two teams shared the spoils, a result that was a brief set-back for South Africa in the qualification campaign.
Now depending on Warriors coach Marian Marinica plans for the inform Motherwell forward, something big could be brewing again.
For now, however, the scripts for both players make interesting reading.
While Maswanhise was recently crowned the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for November, his opposite is under fire from the Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for taking steps backwards by accepting a move from Orlando Pirates to MLS, in Chicago.
“I will tell you what I think. What is he going to do in Chicago?” Broos said at a press briefing.
“It’s not even a top team in America. And if my info is right, don’t quote me, but they told me he will play in MLS 2, the second team of Chicago. I don’t know if it’s the truth; I will ask him when I see him. That is even worse.”
While the move is believed to be lucrative, the future of one of South Africa’s brightest prospects hangs in balance.
“… There would’ve been better teams for his career than Chicago. What is he going to do alone in a big city like that? I don’t think it’s a good choice,” said Broos.
On the other hand, Maswanhise is over the moon.
The Zimbabwe international scored three goals during November, including a double against Kilmarnock.
It was a month he became the league’s top scorer in all competitions with 12 goals, and in the process becoming the fourth Motherwell player to win this award in six years.
Zimpapers Sports Hub understands that the player will receive offers from some European teams during the transfer window, and if he stays put, he could still be prized away after the season. Championship side Leicester have a buy-back clause, but that will not stop other clubs in
the Scottish Premiership, Championship and Premier league from making bids.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to pick up this award,” Maswanhise told his club’s official website.
“It’s my name on the trophy, but this is a team game, and the way the full squad has contributed to our recent success has been impressive. We’re all together in this dressing room, and I’m delighted with the way things have been going this season.”
Maswanhise is expected to be part of Warriors coach Marinica’s final squad to be announced Thursday.
The Warriors conduced the first phase of camp which included local-based players and some foreign-based players on the peripheries.
Many of those that have been in camp are unlikely to make the final squad when the established foreign based players are released by their European clubs on December 15.
