Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi and Blessing Malinganiza
WARRIORS red-hot forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya is eager to extend his goal-scoring form to the international arena following an extraordinary start to the season with his South African team AmaZulu.
Ngwenya was expected to link up with his teammates in Casablanca last night on the back of a record-equalling performance. The forward scored his eighth goal this season on the eve of the FIFA international break in AmaZulu’s 1-0 win over Polokwane City on Saturday.
The 23-year-old former FC Platinum man is enjoying his second season in the Supa Disk, where he has now scored in seven consecutive Betway Premiership matches, matching a record that has stood for more than two decades.
According to reports from South Africa, only Grant Young in 1999 and Esau Kanyenda in 2002 have previously man-aged the feat in the PSL era.
Ngwenya, who was scheduled to link up with his Warriors teammates in Morocco last night, told Zimpapers Sports Hub that he was looking forward to the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He has been called back to the Warriors squad only for the second time in his career, with new coach Ramon Catala and his staff finding it difficult to ignore a man who has scored in each and every league game he has played this season to take his tally to eight goals from seven games.
“I am hoping for the best,” he said.
“I am happy to be representing my nation in the qualifying matches. As a striker, I need to score goals. So, scoring is my duty, and obviously I am looking forward to continuing with my form for as long as I can,” said Ngwenya.
The lanky forward, however, has been unlucky with national team calls in recent months. He has only featured once in senior team colours in September last year when he played 66 minutes against Rwanda in a 2026 World Cup Qualifier.
He has somehow been sidelined from selection and was a notable omission in Zimbabwe’s final squad for the 2025 AFCON in December despite his consistent form in the last two years.
Ngwenya was the top goal scorer in Zimbabwe when he left for South Africa mid-season last year. He had a blistering start to life at AmaZulu, but injury concerns pegged him back in the Golden Boot race.
The forward, however, has picked up from where he left off with 10 goals from eight matches in league and cup competitions this season, leading to his call-up for the AFCON qualifiers.
“The upcoming AFCON qualifiers are very crucial in my career. I am hoping for the best. I just want to appeal to our fans to kindly come and rally behind us. We are the Warriors,” he said.
Zimbabwe are in Group E of the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.
They begin their campaign on Thursday against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco, before returning home to host the DRC at the National Sports Stadium on Monday.
Sierra Leone are using Morocco for their home games as they do not have a CAF certified stadium in their country.
But the build-up has not been smooth for the Warriors after a fresh injury concern rocked the camp yesterday, with Greece-based Tino Kadewere the latest casualty.
Kadewere is expected to undergo a scan today after sustaining an injury during Aris Thessaloniki’s last match, raising doubts over his availability for the two AFCON qualifiers.
Kadewere started alongside Loren Morón in Aris’ match against Iraklis on Saturday but emerged from the encounter carrying an injury.
His participation now hinges on the results of the scan and the subsequent assessment by Aris’ medical team.
A source close to the player said it was too early to determine the extent of the injury.
“He picked up an injury during the last game and is expected to undergo a scan tomorrow,” the source said.
“At the moment, we cannot say how serious it is. The scan will give us a clearer picture and determine whether he will be available for the national-team matches.
“He is naturally concerned, but he remains hopeful that it is not a serious injury.”
Neither Aris nor ZIFA had issued an official update on the injury by yesterday.
Kadewere’s setback adds to Catala’s concerns ahead of his first competitive assignments in charge of the Warriors.
Utility man Jordan Zemura and Knowledge Musona, who were also named in the provisional squad, have since been dropped because of knocks.
The locally-based Warriors and the technical team led by Catala left for Morocco yesterday via Doha, Qatar, and are expected to arrive in Casablanca today.
The travelling squad included Scottland quintet of goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, defenders Emmanuel Jalai, Kevin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa and midfielder Abubakar Moffat who were joined by Hardrock’s Martin Mapisa and striker Prince Dube.
A host of foreign-based players are expected to join the camp in Morocco today, and these include Divine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza, Sean Fusire, Isaac Mabaya, Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota, Marvelous Nakamba, Prosper Padera, Tawanda Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise and Bill Antonio.
ZIFA have pulled out all the stops to ensure the Warriors return home from Morocco in the shortest possible time, chartering a US$180 000 flight that will ferry the team directly from Casablanca to Harare immediately after their match against Sierra Leone.
The unprecedented logistical arrangement is meant to give the Warriors every possible advantage as they brace for a quick turnaround, with the team expected back in Harare on Friday afternoon ahead of their crucial Group E showdown against the Democratic Republic of Congo next Monday.
With every hour of recovery likely to count, ZIFA have opted to spare the Warriors the rigours of commercial travel and lengthy transit schedules, instead putting the national team on the direct flight home after their opening assignment in Casablanca.
The Warriors will then have the weekend to recover and prepare for the DR Congo clash, which comes just four days after their encounter with Sierra Leone.
Although the FA did not reveal the cost of the chartered plane, sources indicate that it will cost around US$180 000 to fly the Warriors directly from Casablanca to Harare.
Zimpapers Sports Hub also understands that these huge costs might have forced ZIFA to charge US$10 for the rest of the ground for the match against DR Congo.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said they are looking forward to a successful start to the campaign.
“We are hoping for a good result in Morocco. The team is ready, and we are doing everything possible to ensure that the players receive the welfare and support they deserve,” he said.
