Brendan GallowayShutterstock
Brendan Galloway says he is relishing the chance to play in his first major tournament for Zimbabwe.
The 29-year-old Plymouth Argyle defender has been named in his country's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Injury robbed the former Everton and Luton Town player the chance to play when Zimbabwe last qualified for the tournament in 2021, which was delayed until January 2022.
The Warriors have been drawn in a group with Angola, South Africa and Egypt, with Galloway potentially playing against Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in his country's opening game.
"It's an exciting challenge and anything can happen," he told BBC Radio Devon.
"If it is me up against him (Salah), I'll be fully focused on trying my best to stop him.
"Having been born there and grown up there until I was seven, it's a wholesome moment for my family that now I can go and represent them at a major competition.
"It's huge, they're going to be out supporting us massively and we're really excited for them to come and if they can't come, back home they're going to be really supporting us and giving us some good messages."
Mohamed Salah training with LiverpoolGetty Images
Galloway's final game in League One for Plymouth Argyle before heading to Afcon will be his 100th for the Pilgrims.
They host Rotherham United hoping to win back-to-back games for the first time since early September as Argyle look to move out of the relegation zone.
He says he is thankful for the club's support over the past four-and-a-half years which have seen him suffer serious knee and leg issues.
"I love the football club, I've been here a while so I'm really thankful for the support during my time from the fans, from the coach, from my team-mates," he said.
"I don't think I've missed a game this season yet through injury, so hopefully that continues.
"I'm just trying to do everything the right way to stay on the pitch, to have the privilege of putting the green shirt on every single game.
"Injuries might have led me here, but I've met some amazing people and I think that the journey that I've taken, I just have to take it step by step.
"I'm grateful to be here. If I didn't have any injuries, it might have been different, but I'm happy that I came to this football club and met the people that I met and played for this club."
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