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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

AT a time when he was beginning to make a name for himself in the English Premier League for Wolverthampton Wanderers, Warriors prospect Leon Chiwome has been ruled out for the rest of the season owing to an ankle injury.

The 18-year-old forward was promoted from the Wolves Under-21s into the senior squad a month ago and had been making appearances for the first team until the latest setback. Wolves coach Gary O’Neil confirmed the midfielder had picked up an injury.

“He picked up a nasty ankle injury in training in a collision with one of the players. Leon won’t be available for the rest of the season unfortunately for him and for us. That is a really tough one for him to take. I’m absolutely gutted for him in the way it happened, picking up an injury so serious in training. I think he’s shown in the last few weeks that he has some really promising attributes that will benefit the football club moving forward.”

Leon Chiwome

The forward received a call-up for the World Cup Qualifiers played in November though he could not make the trip but the country is still hopeful he will wear the Warriors jersey.

The youngster was born in the UK to an English mother and a Zimbabwean father.Born in Brighton, the 18-year-old was signed by AFC Wimbledon in July 2022 after being scouted while playing for Alfold FC and the Sussex Schools FA team.Chiwome spent just over a year at Plough Lane before making the move to Compton Park as a scholar following an intensive period of scouting.

He has already represented the Under-18s and Under-21s in gold, while also pulling on the Three Lions at England Under-17 level, netting a hattrick against Germany in an international friendly.

Chiwome scored in his first two fixtures for Wolves and has thrived in his new environment.

He joins a host of foreign-based players that are set to be key in Zimbabwe’s World Cup Qualification dreams.

The foreign brigade team includes the likes of Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, midfielder Andy Rinomhota of Cardiff and Leicester City forward Tawanda Maswanhise. There is also Reading defender Tivonge Rushesha. — @innocentskizoe.