Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi’s rise has moved at a pace few saw coming. At 16, with barely a full season of top flight football behind him, the Scottland midfielder is on his way to the Africa Cup of Nations. His name sits on the final list that will travel to Morocco, which makes him the youngest Zimbabwean ever selected for the tournament.
AFCON runs from December 21 to January 18, and his call up turned heads the moment Warriors coach Marian “Mario” Marinica read out the squad. The Romanian opted for youth in some key areas and left out several established names. Injuries ruled out Marshal Munetsi and Jordan Zemura. Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya was dropped. So were Soccer Star of the Year runner ups Kevin Moyo and Emmanuel Ziocha.
Chakuchichi kept his place, and the teenager is stepping into this stage with a mix of excitement and calm belief.
“Yea, I am quite impressed with this call up. I was like, let me just give it my all and see what comes up. I am very happy with this inclusion,” he said.
“I am looking forward to learning a lot when the AFCON gets underway. I am happy I am surrounded by experienced players like Marvelous Nakamba and Teenage Hadebe.
“I have just had a good top flight debut season with Scottland where I have learnt a lot from the likes of Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat. I hope that I will pick some good lessons at AFCON.
“I am so glad that I have managed to make the cut in the team. At this age I never expected to make it but I am one person who doesn’t look at my age as an impediment. I am always ready to compete.”
He walked into Scottland’s senior team this year and quickly settled. Eight league matches, two goals, two assists and a hand in the club’s title run was enough to suggest his talent runs deeper than his age. He has already worn national colours at two COSAFA tournaments, first with the Warriors in July and then the Under 17s two months later.
His selection raises an honest question about how the local game measures its best young talent. Scottland teammate Mafios Chiweta, who is 19, was named Rookie of the Year last week. Chakuchichi did not feature in that conversation, yet he is the one heading to Africa’s biggest stage.
Either way, his moment has arrived. The tournament will test him, shape him and tell the country just how far this young midfielder can go.
