from MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
HARARE, (CAJ News) – ZIMBABWE Warriors and Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise has emerged as one of the most sought-after young strikers in European football after a standout season in Scotland and a noticeable contribution at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The 23-year-old attacker has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, including 13 in the Scottish Premiership, making him the leading scorer in Scotland’s top flight as of early February 2026.
Motherwell currently sit in fourth place in the league standings, trailing traditional heavyweights Celtic and Rangers but well positioned for a European qualification push.
At the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Maswanhise represented Zimbabwe with distinction.
He scored one goal in the tournament — a crucial strike in a 3–2 contest against South Africa — helping the Warriors demonstrate attacking intent against robust competition on African football’s biggest stage.
His performances earned praise across the continent as AFCON set a new scoring record for the competition.
Maswanhise’s prolific form and rising profile have attracted attention across Europe.
In the English Premiership, clubs such as AFC Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have been linked in various reports, while Championship side Blackburn Rovers reportedly made an offer worth around £1.5m that was rejected.
In Scotland, both Celtic and Rangers are understood to be monitoring the Zimbabwe international ahead of the summer transfer window, with Motherwell expected to demand a fee in the region of £4m for his signature.
Beyond the United Kingdom (UK), interest is said to extend to continental clubs.
Belgian giants Anderlecht are believed to have made contact with Motherwell over a potential deal, while scouts from Ligue 1 and Bundesliga teams have been reported to be tracking his progress.
Football analysts suggest Maswanhise’s chances of securing a move to a top-flight English, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga or French Ligue 1 club will depend on continued consistency, his ability to perform against higher-level defences, and adaptation to more competitive tactical systems.
A summer transfer could see him compete in one of Europe’s elite leagues, raising his profile further and potentially boosting his role with the Warriors.
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has confirmed the club’s intention to keep Maswanhise until the summer, allowing him to continue his development and possibly enhance his value before a big-money move.
– CAJ News