Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
EX-Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona has urged his teammates to step up their act and secure maximum points against Benin and Nigeria as they resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup football qualifying campaign.
Zimbabwe, currently bottom of Group C with two points, will first face joint leaders Benin tonight (kick off 6pm) before they engage in a high-stakes clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Uyo five days later.
The Super Eagles have never lost a competitive game to the Warriors, winning four and drawing two in their previous six encounters.
Nigeria and Zimbabwe played a 1-1 draw when the two met on Match-Day two of these qualifiers in Huye, Rwanda with Kelechi Iheanacho cancelling out a fierce Walter Musona drive that had thrust the Warriors in front.
Walter Musona is Knowledge’s young brother.
Despite the odds being against them, Knowledge believes Zimbabwe can revive their World Cup hopes with a strong performance in these upcoming fixtures.
Three years after retiring from international football, the 34-year-old forward has sensationally bounced back into the Warriors fold.
Given his vast experience and eye for goal, Knowledge looks set to lead the attacking line when the Warriors face the Benin Cheetahs at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tonight.
After tonight’s assignment in Durban, coach Michael Nees and his Warriors will head for yet another tough task against the three-time African champions Nigeria, who just like Zimbabwe are still searching for their first win in Group C.
Before they receive Zimbabwe in Uyo, Nigeria will be in Rwanda for a date against the Wasps, who have seven points and sit atop Group C courtesy of superior goal difference over South Africa and Benin.
Knowledge who led Zimbabwe at the 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, however, remains optimistic.
“(I am) feeling good, feeling great, happy to be back and looking forward to the upcoming games,’’ Knowledge said.
“My first training was good and I’ve seen a lot of quality. I think the future is bright for the Warriors, and I’m looking forward (to helping) these youngsters and contributing to their development,” he told DiskiAfrica.
“In football, everything is possible, and it starts with this game that is coming. The most important (thing) is to take the three points first in this coming game and try to go and also collect some points in Nigeria, but I think the focus now has to be against Benin.
Confidence in Warriors
He backed Nees’ class of 2025 to grind results and revive a faltering campaign.
“With this quality and this group, I think we are able to collect maximum points, and it all depends on the work that we put in on training and of course in the match that is coming.
“I really believe that we have a team, and personally, I would love that we win these two games that are coming to stay in contention (for) the World Cup qualifiers,” Musona added.
With just two points from four matches, Zimbabwe trail joint leaders Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin by five points. Winning most, if not all, of their six remaining fixtures is crucial if the Warriors are to do a smash and grab job and secure an historic first-ever World Cup qualification.
It is, however, the same challenge for Nigeria, who have made six appearances at the World Cup, since the Super Eagles made their debut in 1994 at the tournament in the United States.
The Super Eagles, 2013 AFCON champions, the highest-ranked team in Group C, boast only three points from their first four games.
Although the Warriors have some emerging talents, they have somehow struggled in the bid for World Cup qualification.
The arrival of German gaffer Nees has brought a fresh sense of self belief in the Warriors dressing room.
Nees, an ex-Seychelles, Israel Under-21 and Kosovo Under-21 boss guided the Warriors to the 2025 Nations Cup with a qualification game to spare.
His Warriors finished second behind group winners Cameroon to punch their Nations Cup tickets.
In contrast, Benin come into this encounter having failed to qualify for the Nations Cup from an equally tough group that had Nigeria, Rwanda and Libya.
In FIFA World Cup qualification, they Cheetahs did defeat Nigeria in June to back up a win against Rwanda and have been using an adopted home – Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Benin will hope to secure a result in Durban tonight with striker Steve Mounie who plies his trade with FC Augsburg in the German Bundesliga, their leading light.
The Cheetahs also have forward Jodel Dossou of modest Luxembourg club, FC Victoria Rosport to bank on in their search for points. – soccernetng.
