Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Tawanda Chirewa has spoken of his deep sense of honour after being received by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House this morning.
The England-born Warriors star, who is currently in the for his off-season break, was joined by national teammates Marvelous Nakamba and Teenage Hadebe for the courtesy visit.
Taking to his official social media platforms shortly after the meeting, Chirewa expressed his gratitude and outlined his desire to play a role in the nation's future, beyond his contributions on the football pitch.
"I am deeply honoured to have met the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa," Chirewa wrote. "During our meeting, I had the privilege of sharing my vision and commitment to investing in our beloved country and contributing to its growth and development."
Born in England to Zimbabwean parents, the Wolves midfielder is using the Premier League close-season to reconnect with his heritage on what is his first-ever visit to the country.
He has thrown himself into local culture as he has been photographed exploring various cultural landmarks and attending local Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures.
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He has also been spending time immersing himself in the local scene alongside international teammates Nakamba, Hadebe, and Munashe Garananga.
However, despite his growing integration into the national setup, Chirewa is still waiting for the opportunity to fulfill a major career ambition, playing in front of Warriors home crowd.
The midfielder is yet to feature before the Warriors’ suppporters on Zimbabwean soil due to a prolonged stadium crisis. The country currently lacks a FIFA/CAF-accredited venue capable of hosting international fixtures, forcing the national team to play their "home" matches on foreign soil.
There is, however, hope on the horizon. The National Sports Stadium in Harare is currently undergoing renovations to bring it up to the required international standards, with officials racing against time to complete the work ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this year.