Maswanhise on Motherwell's Zimbabwean fan club, ambition, and seizing his chance
This is an excerpt from this week's Claret and Amber Alert, a free Motherwell newsletter written by Graeme McGarry that goes out every Thursday at 6pm. To sign up, click here.
Motherwell fans know by now to enjoy any special talents in the claret and amber while they can. And players know too that Fir Park is a place that can act as a springboard to the very highest levels of the game.
Former loanee Mika Biereth, for instance, is set to join Monaco this week in deal reported to be worth around £12.5m. How much of that was down to his short spell in Lanarkshire is open to debate, but while Motherwell may bear little resemblance to Monte Carlo, such stories make the club an attractive option for young talents looking to kickstart their careers.
Tawanda Maswanhise looks to be the latest player to take full advantage of that mutually beneficial arrangement, with the former Leicester City youngster grateful for the lifeline Stuart Kettlewell threw him in the summer, one he is determined to grasp with both hands.
He has certainly done that so far, and while he doesn’t hide his desire to one day play in one of the top five leagues, he knows that performing as he has recently for Motherwell is his route to the top.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant,” Maswanhise said.
“Though, I’ve had to get used to the weather a little bit! Man, it was a cold one on Wednesday night.
“But I think we showed another side to ourselves. We stuck together and did what we needed to do, and we got a good point.
“That’s really been my approach too. I’ve just got to do the job the manager wants from me, believe in myself and contribute in any way I can.
(Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) “The manager wants us to show him every day, and that's what we’re doing. He's giving me the opportunity and he's believing in me, so I'm doing what I can.
“I’m feeling really good at the moment, really confident, so hopefully that can continue.
“Before I signed, lots of people were telling me that Motherwell's a great place to go.
“It's one of those really great stages to show your ability. And yeah, that really came across my mind. Those are good things.
“I’m loving it at Motherwell just now, but I know that one day I can go back to play at the highest level. I know I've got the ability. All I need to keep is just that belief that I can do it again.
“I’m working harder than ever, so hopefully I can show my best for Motherwell and then one day show that I can go and do it on the biggest stage.”
Such thoughts were far from Maswanhise’s mind though when a call came through from Motherwell in the summer.
“My contract had finished that week at Leicester,” he said.
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“I got a phone call one evening and they said do you want to come and play against Everton in a bounce game? I was like, ‘yeah, why not?’
“I was out of contract, but luckily I still had a good level of fitness from playing for Zimbabwe in the summer, so when the game came around I just made sure I did my defensive job and my attacking job and hoped that I would have impressed the manager.
“When he asked me to sign I think he was even more excited than me, because I didn't really know Scottish football and I didn’t know what to expect, but he was just saying, ‘yeah, we're really going to enjoy this season’. So that was good to hear.
“I was going into a team where I didn't know what to expect so I had to adapt really quickly. Thankfully, I think I’ve managed to do that, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”
Maswanhise’s success to date has also seen Motherwell expand their fanbase into Zimbabwe, with the club’s social media accounts inundated with messages of support from his homeland whenever he is involved in matches.
His recent goal against Rangers, when a beautiful touch, turn and finish left Jack Butland without a prayer, sent the club’s notifications into meltdown.
“That was crazy,” he laughed.
“It's fun, it's fun. And the more goals and assists I get, the crazier it gets on those posts.
“I'm so excited to get into such a competitive team as Zimbabwe is as well. I'm really happy.
“If I carry on going the way I am, I can get more chances to play in my national team which is a big bonus for myself.
“It’s great that the fans are all following Motherwell now too.”
As for the here and now, Maswanhise now has a second win of the season at Easter Road in his sights, as he looks to fulfil his personal and collective goals for a dream debut campaign for the club.
“I do want to get into that double-digits for goals,” he said.
“And if we can get that in top four, that would be a good step forward.
“We want to try to finish as high as possible.”
