Having made his international debut four days previously, Tawanda Chirewa marked his second cap for Zimbabwe by firing home his first goal for his country on Tuesday evening.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Chelmsford but is of Zimbabwean descent, has been on his first international camp after receiving his second call-up to the national team this summer and put in another impressive performance for his country against South Africa.
Chirewa was just one member of Gary O’Neil’s Wolves squad who featured for their countries this week and wolves.co.uk rounds up the action which took place featuring Old Gold players from Monday and Tuesday.
Tawanda Chirewa | South Africa 3-1 Zimbabwe
Standing head and shoulders above his international teammates on Tuesday, Chirewa put in another star performance on just his second outing for Zimbabwe, finding the net after just two minutes in his country’s World Cup qualification defeat to South Africa. Yet to win a game in the group stages following two draws and a loss, Zimbabwe went behind inside the first minute in Bloemfontein, but Chirewa got his team back on level terms just moments later after picking up the ball inside the penalty area before creating space for a shot which he directed into the bottom right corner. South Africa claimed the win, however, with two goals in the second half, which leaves Zimbabwe bottom of CAF Group C.
Congratulations Tawanda Chirewa on scoring your first international goal! 🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/W86qNBtu3j
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 12, 2024
Rayan Ait-Nouri | Uganda 1-2 Algeria
Aiming to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Guinea on Thursday, Ait-Nouri was in at left-back once again for Algeria on Monday evening as his country picked up all three points away to Uganda in their World Cup qualifier. Despite falling behind after just 10 minutes, Algeria rallied in the second half, scoring the equaliser just after the break before adding a second around the hour mark. Playing the whole 90 minutes for his country, Ait-Nouri and Algeria are currently top of CAF Group G on nine points from four matches, but only ahead of Mozambique on goal difference.
Hee Chan Hwang | South Korea 1-0 China
Hwang was back in from the start for South Korea in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday lunchtime as his country hosted China in Seoul. Leading the line with Spurs’ Heung-min Son and PSG’s Kang-in Lee either side, the Wolves forward was unable to get onto the scoresheet himself, as Korea were made to work hard for their narrow victory. It took Hwang’s side until the hour mark to make the breakthrough, with Lee capitalising on a ball into the box which wasn’t cleared to fire home the only goal of the game – extending Korea’s lead at the top of AFC Group C to eight points after six matches.
Hwang helped @theKFA to a 1-0 win against China today 🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/UyjmdRUj9L
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 11, 2024
Mario Lemina | Gabon 3-2 Gambia
The final Wolves player in international action last night was Lemina as his Gabon team got back to winning ways following defeat to Ivory Coast last time out. The World Cup qualifier saw an entertaining second half in Franceville, Lemina’s side went behind to Gambia during a first half of few chances, but Gabon quickly turned the game on its head following the break. Three goals in 20 minutes, including one from former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on his return to the national team, gave Gabon all three points, despite having to weather a late storm from their opponents. Gabon sit second in CAF Group F on nine points from their four qualification games so far.
Joe Hodge | Ireland U21 2-2 England U20
Like Chirewa, another Wolves Academy graduate was on the scoresheet this week, as midfielder Joe Hodge netted his first goal for Republic of Ireland’s under-21s in a friendly against England out in Croatia. Wearing the captain’s armband once again, Hodge led by example in Zagreb and quickly put his side ahead inside three minutes as he put the finishing touches to a well worked goal. England hit back either side of the half to swing the game in their favour, before Ireland equalised 10 minutes after Hodge had left the pitch late on, to secure the draw. Hodge will be expected to be back with Ireland later this year for their U21 Euros qualification fixtures.
Elsewhere
None of Wolves’ Portugal trio started their friendly match against a Republic of Ireland which had Matt Doherty among their substitutes. Nelson Semedo was brought on at half-time with his side one goal to the good, before Doherty joined him on 70 minutes, by which time Portugal had added another two goals. Having featured in the win over Finland last week, Jose Sa and Pedro Neto were unused substitutes in Aveiro.
Boubacar Traore came on at half time of Mali under-23’s 2-1 win over Uzbekistan, with the midfielder taking over the armband when he was brought off the bench and inspired his team to victory, as he played an instrumental role in both of his country’s second-half goals. While Enso Gonzalez started on the bench for Paraguay under-23 on Monday evening as they lost 2-0 to Argentina in the second of their Summer Olympic Games warm up fixtures.
🐺🐺🐺 pic.twitter.com/75IFz9g1Rm
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 10, 2024
Coming up…
The Wolves players not involved in Euro 2024 or Copa America 2024 will now head out on their holidays before retuning to Compton Park in early July for pre-season training. However, for the players who will continue with their countries during the next month, there is still plenty of action which they could be involved in.
Joao Gomes and Brazil face the second of their Copa America warm up friendlies by taking on competition hosts USA in Florida in the early hours of tomorrow morning (13th July, 12am), while Wolves’ Portugal trio of Semedo, Sa and Neto will get their Euro 2024 campaign underway against Czechia in Leipzig on Tuesday (18th June, 8pm).
Although Gomes has been confirmed as part of Brazil’s squad for this summer’s Copa America – which begins the following week – it is yet to be seen as to whether Yerson Mosquera and Dexter Lembikisa will be at the competition for Colombia and Jamaica respectively, as teams have until Saturday to name their final 23-man squads.
