Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
RWANDA coach Adel Amrouche yesterday heaped praise on seasoned Warriors forward, Knowledge Musona, who he reckons to be the best individual player across the African continent.
Amrouche was left a happy man after he masterminded his team’s 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in a 2026 World Cup Group C qualifier at Orlando stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Victory over the Warriors, from whom they have now gleaned four points in the campaign, left Rwanda with a fighting chance to squeeze through to the global showpiece next year.
The former Kenya gaffer said he was happy to have dragged his side over the line against a Zimbabwean team that he rates highly.
He confessed that he had sleepless nights after learning that the Scottland forward was in the team.
However, his worries evaporated when he saw the former Warriors captain deployed in a deep role, partnering Marshal Munetsi and Prosper Padera in midfield.
Amrouche said: “I had this habit to play against Zimbabwe, and I know the quality of these players from a long time when I was in Burundi, Kenya and Botswana.
“When I saw Knowledge Musona in the field, I couldn’t sleep because I know that man can make it anytime. And I was happy when I saw him playing a bit back.
“But I know when you play Zimbabwe with all the quality, individual quality, what they have is for me, like I always have something to be afraid of.
“And Knowledge is the best individual player on the continent, our continent. And really, yes, of course, we came for this game with the other approach, because we know the quality of my players.
“I don’t have a star, but I try to build this group. It is not easy to play Zimbabwe with all that quality, with all what they have. But yeah, I can be happy now, because we won.”
Musona had a lot of input in yesterday’s match and he was also dangerous in attack especially with set-pieces.
Thrice he could have provided assists had his teammates been effective in turning in his corners and free-kicks.
At 35, Musona also looked very fit, even dropping to into the midfield defensive role when Padera was taken out for Bill Antonio at the break.
His output playing in that position was incredible with Nees saying: “Musona is one of the fittest players around at 35.
“I am very happy with how he put in the shift. I hope he continues like that.”
Musona is however, yet to celebrate a victory since his return to the Warriors fold with the side featuring in two draws and as many defeats in the World Cup marathon.
