RETURNING former Warriors' captain Knowledge Musona has challenged players to put extra effort and collect maximum points against Benin and Nigeria in the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
Musona has come out of retirement, three years after calling time on his international career and is part of the team that will face joint Group C log leaders Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tomorrow.
The team will fly to Uyo, Nigeria, where they will take on the three-time African champions on March 25.
Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees is hopeful that the team which is bottom of the standings can bounce back and mount a serious challenge for the sole World Cup ticket in the group that also includes Lesotho, Rwanda and South Africa.
Impressed by his new teammates, Musona believes that Zimbabwe can resurrect the campaign by winning the two upcoming fixtures.
“[I am] feeling good, feeling great, happy to be back and looking forward to the upcoming games. My first training was good and I've seen a lot of quality. I think the future is bright for the Warriors and I'm looking forward that I help these youngsters and contribute to their development," he said.
“In football everything is possible and it starts with this game that is coming. The most important is to take the three points first in this coming game and try to go and also collect some points in Nigeria but I think the focus now has to be against Benin.
“With this quality and this group, I think we are able to collect maximum points and it all depends on the work that we put in on training and of course in the match that is coming.
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"I really believe that we have a team and personally I would love that we win these two games that are coming to stay in the contention of the World Cup qualifiers," the 34-year-old midfielder added.
With two points from four matches, five behind joint leaders Rwanda, South Africa and Benin, the Warriors may need to win most if not all of their six remaining matches to secure a maiden ticket at the World Cup.
Hopes are high after German coach Nees, only appointed in August last year, managed to help Zimbabwe qualify for the next Afcon finals in Morocco.
Musona shared his impression of the coach while appealing for Zimbabwe fans to come out in their numbers to support the team in tomorrow's match.
"He's a great coach, well spoken and he expresses what he wants and his targets. So, he's quite clear in his vision and everything that he wants to do. I think it's going to be an exciting journey with him and of course with the group of players that we have. I am looking forward to working with him for the next couple of months," he said.
"We really hope that you (the fans) come in your numbers to support us. And we promise that whenever we are on the field of play we are going to give our 100% because this is a national team and we are expected to deliver for the nation. We are not only representing ourselves but millions of people, millions of Zimbabweans that are all over the world, not only back home but also watching from the diaspora.
“So, I'm really hoping that they will come out in numbers and support us so that we can give them something back to celebrate when they go back home after the game.”
All of the foreign-based players, save for captain Marvelous Nakamba, who was ruled out through injury, managed to turn up for the World Cup qualifiers.
The match against Benin kicks off at 6pm tomorrow.
