KNOWLEDGE Musona, pictured, seems to have finally rediscovered the glint and the timing couldn’t be better for the Warriors as they step up preparations for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon.
It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Musona since his switch to Saudi Arabia’s side Al-Tai from Belgium side Anderlecht after struggling to regain his best form.
But there were glimpses of it on Boxing Day when Musona notched an impressive brace to help his side rally from behind to register a 3-1 victory over Al-Faisaly in the Saudi Pro League.
Musona led the comeback when he cancelled a Julio Tavares opener on 66 minutes after Al-Faisaly had surged ahead after only nine minutes into the game.
Abdulaziz Al-Harabi then put Al-Tai ahead on 72 minutes when he headed home an Ibrahim Al-Zubaidi’s cross before Musona completed his brace in time added on to secure maximum points for the home side.
The brace took Musona’s tally to four goals since joining Al-Tai at the beginning of the year leaving Warriors manager Wellington Mpandare a delighted lot and now hopes he will transfer his stellar form to the national side in Cameroon.
“We were all impressed with our captain Musona’s recent form after he scored a brace for his club at the weekend,” Mpandare told the Daily News.
“That’s what every coach or a country would want to have ahead of such an important tournament. We need to have our key players in form, especially the captain. His form (Musona) at this juncture sweetens things up for the team and we do hope he brings that form into the national team.”
Musona alongside Admiral Muskwe, Jordan Zemura, David Moyo and Tino Kadewere will link up with the rest of the squad in Cameroon on January 3.
Defender Teenage Hadebe yesterday also failed to turn up for training but no explanation could be immediately given by Mpandare.
Hadebe has been in Bulawayo since last month where he was reportedly attending to some pressing family commitments and was expected to join the rest of the squad yesterday.
Warriors are expected to leave for Cameroon tomorrow and are expected to finalise their squad today while efforts for a friendly matches ahead of the tournament are at an advanced stage.
The Warriors will camp in Yaounde for five days before proceeding to their base in Bafoussam.
Zimbabwe are hoping to play Sudan and possibly Ethiopia before the tournament commences in Cameroon on January 9 until February 6.
Zimbabwe are seeking to reach the Afcon knockout stage for the first time after all of their previous four appearances ended in the group stages.
But to obtain that goal, Warriors will first have to navigate Group B, in which they face hosts West African giants Senegal, Guinea and neighbours Malawi.
Zimbabwe secured their berth after finishing second in Group H behind defending African champions Algeria while Zambia and Botswana were third and fourth respectively.
Next month’s Afcon tournament will be Zimbabwe’s fifth appearance at the finals, having made their debut in 2004 under Sunday Chidzambwa.
Warriors will be based in Bafoussam and will use Kouekong Stadium for their first two matches against the Lions of Terenga on January 10 and the Flames of Malawi four days later before travelling to Yaounde for the final group match against the Slyi Nationale at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on January 18.
by
Cloud Fusire
SPORTS WRITER