Motherwell flying machine Tawanda Maswanhise insists netting his first international goal to secure Zimbabwe’s place at the African Cup of Nations has given him wings.
The rapid forward opened the scoring in the weekend’s 1-1 qualifying draw with Kenya before St Mirren ’s Jonah Ayunga struck an equaliser. Maswanhise slammed home an angled drive from just inside the box and the point was enough to clinch The Warriors a top two finish with a game to spare.
Now they face Cameroon in a straight shoot out to finish top of the group. And ahead of Tuesday’s clash with the Indomitable Lions, the former Leicester kid said: “I am very happy to have taken off in terms of scoring for the Warriors. “It is something that you always want to do and the opportunity presented itself at the grandest of stages. I am happy the goal eventually took us to the AFCON finals and it is something very encouraging to be involved in such high-octane games.
“The goal gave me wings and I could have possibly got another one in the second half. But Lady Luck wasn’t on my side. Nevertheless I am well motivated going into our next match against Cameroon. It’s a game we all know we have to win. We are never going to lack the will and desire that we showed against Kenya.”
Maswanhise, who has three goals from 11 appearances for Motherwell including the opener in their 2-1 win over St Johnstone last time out, recently signed a new deal at Fir Park until 2026. And he hopes his form that has helped the Steelmen soar into the top five in the Premiership can also see his country fly high.
He said: “The football landscape has changed a lot and it is high time we start rising as Zimbabwe. We have a solid group of players who are talented and playing in top leagues across the world.”