By Zim Sport Live Writer
Tawanda Maswanhise has been in electric form for Motherwell — and now the in-form winger is dreaming of taking that momentum onto the biggest stage in African football.
The 22-year-old, who leads the Steelmen’s scoring charts with nine goals in 17 appearances this season, is set to feature for Zimbabwe at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations. And his international bow could hardly be tougher — a group opener against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on December 22.
It’s a classic David versus Goliath contest: the Warriors, priced at 350/1 outsiders to win the tournament, taking on the seven-time continental champions. But Maswanhise isn’t fazed.
“Confidence-wise, I’m feeling at the top right now,” he said in an interview with the Scottish newspaper Daily Record ahead of Motherwell’s weekend clash with Aberdeen. “Whenever I get into those areas in the final third, I feel 100 percent sure I’m going to score or hit the target.
“AFCON is massive — everyone in Africa and across Europe will be watching. I want to go there, play my best football, and show my talent.”
Zimbabwe will warm up for the competition with friendlies against Algeria and Qatar during the upcoming international break. Maswanhise knows he must maintain his red-hot club form to cement his spot in the starting XI for that headline clash against Salah.
“It’s going to be my first AFCON, so hopefully it’s a great experience,” he added. “You always want to test yourself against the best — and Salah is one of the best. Hopefully, I can outperform him, but it’s going to take a lot.”
Since arriving at Fir Park, the former Leicester City prospect has thrived under Jens Berthel Askou’s attacking system, reaching 50 appearances for the club last month. With top-six ambitions still alive, Maswanhise says he’s determined to repay Motherwell for giving him a platform to grow.
“Every time I step on the pitch, I try to give my best and leave a mark,” he said. “The more games I play, the more confidence I get. The gaffer trusts me — and we believe in our style of play. Top six and maybe Europe are real targets for us.”
Speed clearly runs in the family. Maswanhise credits his father, Jeffrey — a former Zimbabwe sprinter who competed at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games — for his blistering pace, though he modestly admits he’s not the quickest at the club.
“It’s probably Regan Charles-Cook — he’s rapid,” he laughed. “My dad’s proud of me, but he’s also my biggest critic. I just nod sometimes, but I do listen — he knows what it takes. I’ve seen old videos of him running; he was seriously quick.
“I’m proud of him too. Now it’s my turn to make him proud and achieve even more.”
As the AFCON countdown continues, Maswanhise’s sights are firmly set on Cairo — and the chance to announce himself on the international stage against one of the game’s greats.