By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe international Tawanda Chirewa is showing early signs that this could finally be the season he establishes himself at Wolverhampton Wanderers after another encouraging display in pre-season.
The 22-year-old provided the assist for the only goal as Wolves beat Maidenhead United 1-0 on Wednesday, having also started last weekend’s goalless draw against Portuguese side Estoril.
Chirewa lined up alongside fellow Zimbabwe internationals Marshall Munetsi and Leon Chiwome in the starting XI, while teenage midfielder Ethan Sutherland was named among the substitutes, marking another proud moment for Zimbabwean football with four players involved in the matchday squad.
Operating first as an attacking midfielder before being pushed into a makeshift centre-forward role, Chirewa was one of Wolves’ brightest attacking outlets.
For Chirewa, the strong start comes at an important stage of his Wolves career.
After breaking into the first team under former manager Gary O’Neil, the highly rated playmaker struggled to cement a regular place and saw his progress stall amid managerial changes at Molineux.
Last November, interim head coach James Collins publicly backed Chirewa, declaring him ready for senior football after impressive performances at academy level.
He was promoted to the first-team squad alongside Mateus Mane and Enzo Gonzalez, but opportunities became limited following the appointment of Rob Edwards.
A loan spell at Barnsley followed in the second half of last season as Chirewa sought regular first-team football.
Now back at Wolves, he appears to have been handed another opportunity under new head coach Cesar Peixoto, whose arrival has effectively reset the competition for places ahead of the club’s first season back in the Championship.
With pre-season often offering players the chance to impress a new manager, Chirewa has made a positive early impression, contributing creatively while displaying the versatility to operate in several attacking roles.
If he can maintain that form throughout the remainder of pre-season, the Zimbabwe international could finally be poised to fulfil the promise that first saw him emerge as one of Wolves’ brightest academy prospects.