AmaZulu FC forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has received rave reviews from Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Ngwenya received his first senior team call-up as Zimbabwe prepare to face Benin and Rwanda in the qualifiers. They are set to take on Benin at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium on Friday, 5 September at 18h00 before hosting Rwanda at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday, 9 September.
The 22-year-old joined AmaZulu FC ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season from four-time Zimbabwean champions, FC Platinum.
The hardworking striker has settled well at Usuthu, having scored two goals in the five matches played in the new season. He scored in their consecutive draws against Sekhukhune United and Magesi FC, respectively.
His good vein of form ultimately earned him a place in The Warriors squad, crucially positioning himself for a place in the team to represent Zimbabwe at the 2025 AFCON tournament.
WHAT ZIM COACH MICHAEL NEES SAID ABOUT THE AMAZULU STAR
Speaking in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where Zimbabwe will take on Benin, Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees praised Ngwenya, saying his efforts at AmaZulu FC were hard to ignore.
“We eventually came with Thando [Ngwenya] and Machope [Tymon], and although Machope had a very good run, Thando also has been exceptional,” said Nees on Tuesday.
“I opted for Thando first as he made a statement. That’s the reaction you want as a coach from a player. Tymon also made a statement, You go to the game and he scores two goals. He shows the coach that you made a mistake. ‘Take me’, and that’s a fact, so I didn’t then hesitate.
“But we had to wait, still of course, to check all the other players. But Thando has done very well, and we hope he can continue with the same work with us.”
Prior to this call-up, Ngwenya was part of the Emerging Warriors squad that featured at the 2025 COSAFA tournament.
It is at this tournament that the forward attracted the attention of Betway Premiership teams. And AmaZulu FC eventually won the race for his signature.
Meanwhile, Ngwenya left the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League halfway through the 2025 season. He had scored nine goals for FC Platinum and still remains their top goalscorer this season.
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