Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in Johannesburg, South Africa
AS he walked from Kaizer Chiefs Village’s car park to the press conference room on Friday morning, Knowledge Musona noticed something had changed at the facility.
It was Musona’s first return to Kaizer Chiefs’ magnificent facility in over a decade.
Musona was last here 12 years ago when he returned to Amakhosi for a brief loan spell.
However, the gifted player’s first arrival at Naturena was in 2009, when he arrived as a 19-year-old, fresh-faced boy from Aces Academy.
That was when he signed his first professional contract with Kaizer Chiefs, before going to establish himself as one of the best ever players to grace the South African Premiership.
Yesterday, Musona was back at Naturena in different colours,
representing Zimbabwean champions Scottland, who are set to play Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup at Royal
Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday.
“It is a great honour to be here, but unfortunately, I am playing for the opposite team,” a respectful Musona told the media.
“I am looking forward to the game on Sunday, and it is good to be back here in South Africa.
“It is an honour also for us to be invited here to South Africa because Kaizer Chiefs is a very big team in Africa.
“We are very happy that we are going to be competing on Sunday and we are looking forward to the game,” added Musona.
He is now 36 but Musona is still a dangerous attacking player.
His return to the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League last season sparked a lot of interest in the competition.
This term, Musona has scored eight goals and is one of the contenders for a place on the Soccer Star of the Year calendar.
At Kaizer Chiefs, Musona was a revered player.
He won the Player of the Year award, Golden Boot and best goal award in the 2010/2011 season.
That performance earned him a move to Germany, where he signed for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, the same time that Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino arrived.
“It feels good to be back,” Musona said.
“This was my first home, outside Zimbabwe and I am so grateful to Kaizer Chiefs because they gave me the platform when I was young to showcase my talent.
“From here, I went abroad.”
After leaving Kaizer Chiefs, Musona had spells in Germany, Belgium and Saudi Arabia before retracing his roots back to Zimbabwe.
In between, he had a loan spell back at Kaizer Chiefs during the 2013-2014 season.
“So, I am very happy and I am very honoured to be back here again, playing against the team that gave me the platform,” said Musona.
On Sunday, Musona will partner another former Chiefs player Khama Billiat.
That makes this clash more appetising.
The fact that Scottland are 24 games into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, while Kaizer Chiefs are still in preseason doesn’t take away anything from this duel.
Scottland lead the local Premiership table with 10 games to go.
“We have played 24 games in our league and the South African teams are still in preparation for the new season.
“So, on our part, we are not going to put ourselves under unnecessary pressure,” said Musona.
He also spoke about the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race which involves Hardrock and Dynamos at the moment.
“We are not 100% sure whether we are going to win the league or not.
“Ten games is a lot. It is still a marathon.
“I think it has been the organisation in that way and the understanding between our club bosses, the executives and the players.”
derick.khumalo