Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
KNOWLEDGE Musona’s return to international duty silenced his critics with a stellar performance, scoring a crucial equaliser as Zimbabwe fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against Benin in a 2026 World Cup Qualifier on Thursday.
Lingering doubts had surrounded Musona’s decision to come out of retirement, particularly given his time away from the national team and the mounting pressure on both the player and Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees to justify the move.
Nees had been instrumental in Musona’s return, having persuaded him last week. Critics had argued that Musona’s recall was a mistake, citing his age as a significant concern. At 35, they believed Musona was past his prime and no longer suited to the rigours of international football.
Some felt it was time for younger players to take the reins, emphasising the need to develop fresh talent for the future. The call for a new generation of Warriors was growing louder, with many questioning why a player who had been away from the national team for several years should be given another chance, especially when there were promising young forwards in the squad eager to prove themselves.
However, Musona’s stunning return has proven his critics wrong. His performance not only silenced doubters but also highlighted his invaluable experience and poise in high-pressure moments. While some still argue that the focus should be on nurturing younger players, others believe that Musona’s presence in the squad is vital. His goal on return demonstrated that, despite his age, he still possesses the quality to make a difference and can offer the Warriors a much-needed edge upfront.
Musona, however, responded in style, demonstrating that age and time have not dulled his sharp instincts in front of goal.
In the 60th minute, Musona, ever the poacher, latched onto Jordan Zemura’s inch-perfect and well-calculated free-kick, shooting on goal with a hard and low effort past the Benin goalkeeper to restore parity for Zimbabwe, marking his 25th goal in national colours.
Coach Michael Nees was quick to praise his star forward, noting that Musona’s performance had proven his faith in him was well-placed.
“He did well. When he eventually got subbed off, he indicated fatigue, and we thought, really, let’s introduce fresh legs, quick legs that can make the difference. Musona and Khama Billiat are no longer 25, we cannot ignore that. This was a very fast game and, in my opinion, it was an Afcon-level match. When you need fresh legs, it’s so simple. You look at Prince Dube; he is a good player but he just didn’t get into the game, and we thought we could bring in a player like Tawanda Chirewa who will get into the box,” said Nees.
The match, played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, saw Zimbabwe fall behind early, with Benin taking a 2-0 lead within the first 35 minutes. A calamitous error from Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi allowed Steve Mounie to score the opener in the 12th minute. Despite dominating possession, the Warriors failed to capitalise on their early dominance. Benin doubled their lead just before half-time, with Doku Dodo finding the back of the net in the 35th minute.
The Warriors, however, would not lie down. Stand-in captain Marshall Munetsi pulled one back just before the break, giving Zimbabwe hope as they entered the second-half with renewed vigour. With a tactical substitution from Nees, Zimbabwe grew stronger. The introduction of Chirewa and a clever free-kick from Zemura laid the groundwork for Musona’s return to the spotlight.
