Zimbabwe starlet makes bold AFCON claim | OneFootball

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Zim youngster on AFCON ambitions

Photo: Gerhard Duraan /BackPagePix

Zimbabwe national team sensation Tawanda Chirewa has made a bold Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) claim ahead of their Group B opener against Egypt on Monday, 22 December.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers star, who has scored three goals in 11 caps for the Warriors, is raring to go in the continental showpiece and believes his country will be the dark horses in Morocco.

What's more, Chirewa revealed that excluded captain and club teammate Marshall Munetsi has given him some pointers, as he looks to etch his name in Zimbabwean football history.

“We talk about AFCON a lot. He's given me little insights on how it will be, but I'm buzzing for it. I believe that we are going to shock a lot of countries and shock a lot of people with how we're going to do. So, I'm just trying to get myself as ready as I can,” he told Wolves' media team.

"I know that this tournament is my first major tournament that I will have played in, so I just want to show the world how good Zimbabwe is.

"I know that this is something which is important for my family's name and I want to be a great player for Zimbabwe, I want to be a legend for Zimbabwe, and this is something which I'm eager to do, and something which I believe I can do.

He added: "AFCON is a big step in that, and if I can help us to go as far into the tournament as I can, I know that I'll be one step closer to achieving what I want to achieve for my country.

On Zimbabwe's chances, the 22-year-old is not getting ahead of himself, but revealed that he has already visualized himself scoring against the record seven-time African champions in their curtain raiser, and the Warriors making it to the knockout stage.

“I haven't really dreamed that far ahead. That's a long way ahead. That's at the end of January. All I'm thinking about is that first game against Egypt, trying to visualize that,” Chirewa continued.

"With Egypt, I've seen me scoring. I've seen us winning and going through the group stage. It's exciting times ahead, and I just can't wait to get things rolling.

After their opener against Egypt, Zimbabwe will face Angola four days later, before locking horns with neighbors and fierce rivals South Africa on 29 December.