Zimbabwe’s Maswanhise Shines: PFA Scotland Player of the Year Nominee

A collage featuring the four nominees: Maswanhise, Elijah Just, Lawrence Shankland, and Claudio Braga

In a historic moment for Zimbabwean football, Motherwell FC forward Tawanda Maswanhise has been officially shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award. The nomination follows a prolific campaign that has seen the 23-year-old international become one of the most feared attackers in the Scottish Premiership.  

Since his arrival at Motherwell, Maswanhise has undergone a stunning transformation under manager Jens Berthel Askou. Shifted into a central striker role, the Zimbabwe international has netted 22 goals across all competitions this season.  

Crucially, 17 of those strikes have come in league play, placing him at the summit of the Scottish Premiership golden boot race. His clinical finishing and consistency have already earned him multiple Player of the Month accolades and a guaranteed spot in the league's Team of the Year.  

This year’s shortlist represents a seismic shift in Scottish football. For the first time since 2013, the PFA Scotland Player of the Year finalists do not include a single player from Glasgow giants Celtic or Rangers.

Maswanhise is joined on the four-man shortlist by:

• Elijah Just (Motherwell FC)  

• Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian)  

• Claudio Braga (Heart of Midlothian)

The inclusion of both Maswanhise and teammate Elijah Just highlights Motherwell’s stellar season, with the club currently pushing for European football qualification.

The PFA awards are uniquely prestigious as they are voted for by the players themselves. Maswanhise was one of five Motherwell players, including goalkeeper Calum Ward and defender Paul McGinn, selected for the Premiership Team of the Year.  

"Both being nominated for Player of the Year is a huge acknowledgement of their hard work," said Motherwell boss Askou. "It's something for their teammates to be extremely proud of."

The winner will be crowned at the PFA Scotland annual awards dinner on Sunday, May 3. For Maswanhise, a win would make him the first Motherwell player to hoist the trophy since Michael Higdon in 2013, further cementing his status as a breakout star on the international stage.

Tawanda Maswanhise PFA Scotland nomination