Will Maswanhise get his first Warriors start?

Innocent Kurira

FORWARD, Tawanda Maswanhise is in contention for his first start for the Zimbabwe Warriors, thanks to his impressive form for Scottish side Motherwell.

The 21-year-old winger has been in top form, scoring three goals in eight league appearances, including a Man of the Match performance in Motherwell’s 2-1 win over St Johnstone last Saturday.

Maswanhise’s prospects of starting against Kenya this evening hinge on his ability to edge out stiff competition from the likes of Khama Billiat, Tymon Machope, Prince Dube, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Daniel Msendami, Walter Musona, and Douglas Mapfumo.

It remains to be seen how the Warriors will line up particularly in the forward line but Masvanhise is making noise for a start through his present form.

The youngster made his debut for the Warriors in their 2-0 loss to Lesotho in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier and has been making waves in Scotland.

Maswanhise spent over 10 years in Leicester City’s development structures and has previously won the Leicester development side Player of the Year award.

Maswanhise has previously won the Leicester development side Player of the Year award.

The youngster, who was born in Zimbabwe and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of two, has previously been targeted by Warriors coaches, including Norman Mapeza, before the 2021 Afcon finals in Cameroon.

Zimbabwe’s national team coach, Michael Nees, faces a selection dilemma ahead of the crucial match against Kenya.

A point would be enough for the Warriors to qualify, but Nees’ decision to omit Highlanders striker Lynoth Chikuhwa, the league’s top goal scorer, has sparked controversy.

Opinion is divided over his exclusion buy those selected should be able to do the duty at hand to the maximum.