The Sunday Mail
IT IS an iconic image that has stood the test of time and still evokes nostalgia among Warriors fans, writes Langton Nyakwenda.
An image that truly captured the atmosphere and the magnitude of the occasion.
Norman Mapeza, walking into Rufaro, the Zimbabwe flag in his right hand as he saluted the 30 000 plus fans who had thronged the Mbare arena that is widely regarded as the home of Zimbabwe’s football.
The date was June 5, 2011 and the occasion was a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Zimbabwe and Mali.
A 20-year-old Musona scored a brace, including a breathtaking 90th minute penalty, on his fourth appearance for the Warriors, who emerged 2-1 victors on a wintry afternoon at the ceremonial home of football.
Although the Warriors eventually failed to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup finals, this game is still regarded by some as one of the best national team shows in the last decade.
“A talented coach with a dream generation of technical players, what a squad that was,” former Warriors striker Gilbert Mushangazhike said last week.
Tapuwa Kapini, Gilbert Mapemba, Vusa Nyoni, Thomas Sweswe, Method Mwanjali, Tinashe Nengomasha, Justice Majabvi, Ovidy Karuru, Khama Billiat, Nyasha Mushekwi and Musona started for the Warriors.
However, that June afternoon belonged to Musona, who fired in a brace in only his third AFCON qualifier for his country, and took his tally to three — nine months after making his Warriors debut in a 1-1 draw in Liberia on September 5, 2010.
In fact, there is something about Musona and the month of June.
Musona made his break into the professional game when making his first foreign move in June 2009 before scoring his first Warriors brace on June 5 2011.
His historical Warriors hat-trick fired against Liberia also arrived in the month of June – June 11 2017 to be precise.
That feat also saw him join the elite class of players, which includes Vitalis Takawira and Peter Ndlovu, to grab a hat-trick for the Warriors .
As if it is a script written in the heavens, six of Musona’s 14 goals in the Warriors’ Nations Cup qualifiers have come in the month of June.
June is also the month in which the former Kaizer Chiefs star was born.
He turns 30 on Sunday, June 21.
Ironically, it is also a month in which his future has also been under scrutiny after falling out of favour at Belgian outfit Anderlecht.
“There is no clarity as yet (on his future). There are a number of options available to him, but he is contracted to Anderlecht for two more seasons, and we will have to consider what is best for Knowledge and his family,” Musona’s agent, Mike Makaab, told The Sunday Mail Sport.
Although all has not been rosy for Musona at the Belgian giants, the Norton-bred forward has always reserved his best for the Warriors in a decade full of mixed fortunes.
However, with 15 goals in the AFCON competition, (including one at the 2017 finals in Gabon), plus two in the World Cup qualifiers, Musona has remained a lethal force whenever he wears the Warriors jersey.
“Musona has too many good moments to mention, but captaining his country must rank up there with his most memorable moments,” says Makaab.
As Musona reaches the twilight of his career, questions are being asked on whether the Zimbabwean star player was afforded the right opportunities to explore his talent.
Musona was at some point linked with moves to Scottish giants Celtic and former English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers, but the deals never materialised.
Instead, he has had four loan spells at Augsburg, Kaizer Chiefs, Lokeren and recently Eupen in the last 10 years.
The move to Anderlecht in 2018 was hailed as a huge leap, but two seasons later, Musona has fallen out of favour at the Belgian giants.
“It’s the injuries which he sustained at crucial times in his career,” Makaab said, in reference to Musona’s recurring groin and hamstring injuries in the last few years.
However, the renowned South African agent believes Musona still has more years at the top.
“Knowledge is a total professional and he has played at the highest level in both Germany and Belgium.
“He is in the prime of his career and I have little doubt that he will continue to play, all things being equal, for many years to come at a top level,” Makaab said.
“Outside of his obvious talent as a footballer, he is an incredible human being with great ethics and principles, and a wonderful family man.
“I do not regard him as my client; he is part of our family. It has been a true privilege to work with him.”
Rodwell Dhlakama, who was Musona’s coach at national Under-17 level, feels the player has not reached his full potential.
“I think most of the boys I coached at Under-17 level, Knowledge included, never reached their full potential.
“I still pray they can still get somewhere; they have a couple of years ahead of them,” Dhlakama said.
“The way Knowledge (Musona) started, I think the sky was the limit. Even Doctor Khumalo, who was the South African Under-17 coach then, said the same to me when we played in an African Youth Championship qualification,” revealed Dhlakama.
Dhlakama got to know of Musona through his brother, George, who is a former Division One player.
“I first coached Knowledge’s brother (George) at Zimasco Tigers in Shurugwi. He told me of his brother whom he referred to as better than him then.
“I could not believe him because he (George Musona) was also good,” said Dhlakama.
The gaffer got first-hand proof of Knowledge’s talent at the 2005 Coca Cola NASH finals at Mucheke in Masvingo.
“Ovidy (Karuru) was with Gokomere, Tapiwa Mangezi with Mt Pleasant and Musona with St Eric’s of Norton. That is when I saw a rare talent.
“I quickly drafted Musona into the Zimbabwe schools select team and also quickly roped him into the national Under-17 squad.
“I made him captain of the national Under-17 team which swept everything on board. He even played for the Under-20 under Methembe Ndlovu when he was still 16 or so.
“My dream is to see him and other talented guys I coached at Under-17 playing in the best leagues in Spain or England and in the Champions League. I will keep praying about this,” said the Ngezi Platinum Stars gaffer.
Polokwane City goalkeeper George Chigova gave an insight into Musona’s boyhood.
Chigova and Musona were teammates at Aces Youth Academy before their careers took separate paths.
“Musona was always a quiet and nice guy when we were at the Academy.
“The first time I started training with him, it was clear the guy would go far. I was blessed to have him as a teammate not as an opponent because facing him is such a nightmare…that’s how good he is,” said Chigova.
