Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
AS he walked from the car park at Kaizer Chiefs’ Naturena Village to the press conference room yesterday, 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 the famed Aces Youth Soccer 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 the blue and white of Zimbabwe champions Scottland, who are set to play Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg tomorrow (kick-off 3pm)
“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 domestic Premiership last season sparked a lot of interest in the competition and this term he has eight goals to his name.
While with Chiefs Musona won the Player of the Year award, Golden Boot and Best Goal accolade 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 at the club.
“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 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.
Tomorrow Musona will partner another former Chiefs player Khama Billiat.
That makes this clash more appetising.
The fact that Scottland are 24 games into their championship marathon while Chiefs are still in pre-season doesn’t take away anything from this duel.
“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’’.
He also noted that there is still plenty to play for at home.
“We are not 100 percent sure whether we are going to win the league (Castle Lager PSL) 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.”
Mapeza salutes Soweto giants
Musona’s coach Norman Mapeza had a brief stint in South Africa at the tail end of his playing career between 2005 and 2006, but the former Zimbabwe captain did not turn out for Chiefs.
The former Ajax Cape Town star, however, knows about the rich football history that exists between Chiefs and Zimbabwe.
Over the years, Amakhosi have been home to several Zimbabwean stars including Rabson “Sarafina’’ Mchichwa, Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo, Hussein Amidu, Luke Petros Jukulile, Tinashe Nengomasha, Willard Katsande and Knowledge Musona.
Thomas Sweswe, Abbas Amidu, Ovidy Karuru and Zhaimu Jambo, Michelle Katsvairo, Mathew Rusike and Kingston Nkhata are some of the Zimbabwean players to have featured for Amakhosi.
Mapeza, spoke about that history, at the same press conference Musona and he attended.
“We are honoured to be here, I hope our friendship with Kaizer Chiefs will as far as it can.
“Kaizer Chiefs have always home to many Zimbabweans and I am grateful for that,” Mapeza.
Chiefs, arguably the biggest club in Southern Africa have rekindled their relationship with Zimbabwe, thanks to Scottland, the country’s reigning champions.
Scottland will make their debut in the CAF Champions League in September, while Kaizer Chiefs are mark their return to continental club football via the Confederation Cup.
Amakhosi earned a slot in the Confederation Cup after finishing third in the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership.
Both Scottland and Chiefs could benefit from this duel ahead of the continental safari.
Mapeza, however, admits Scottland are still a baby in continental football, but he believes in his boys’ capabilities.
Scottland have some heavyweight names including Billiat and Musona, Namibian star Moses Shidolo and Kwake Twala of Eswatini.
“Look, we will be playing in the Champions League in a few months’ time and it is good for us to play against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday.
“Also, I understand Kaizer Chiefs will be playing in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“Us, Scottland, we are not a big name in African football, but we are ready. We are taking this game as part of our preparations for the upcoming CAF Champions League.
“We just want to see how ready we are in terms of taking part in the Cup Champions League.
“For Kaizer Chiefs it should be more on the opposite side because they want to see how their team has been doing in the pre-season and how they are going to participate in the South African Premier League,’’ said Mapeza.
Journalists from different countries in Southern Africa who attended yesterday’s presser, also acknowledged the resurgence of football in Zimbabwe and, especially the SPL, which is now attracting stars from across Africa.
