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Fungai Muderere, [email protected]

WARRIORS poster boy, Khama Billiat, has welcomed Knowledge Musona’s return to the Warriors fold ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers Group C encounters against Benin and Nigeria this week.

The Warriors are set to face Benin on Thursday, before taking on Nigeria next Monday.

Musona was named in the squad for the two games after ending his international retirement. He had retired from national team duty in May 2022 “to focus on his club career and give youngsters a chance.”

Warriors head coach Michael Nees, convinced him to reconsider his decision, and the forward is now back in the team.

Michael Nees

Billiat believes Musona’s experience will be invaluable for the team.

“Having Knowledge, with his experience, is a great motivation,” Khama told ZBC News ahead of the Warriors’ departure to Durban, South Africa on Sunday.

He added: “We have worked with him in the past, and it feels great. It has been a long time waiting for him and finally he’s here. 

“We need his experience and it is going to add a lot (to the team). A great leader and person, having him back is going to be a great motivation.”

Speaking about the Warriors’ chances of achieving positive results in the two games, Billiat added:

“We’re taking every game as it comes, and we will focus on doing our best. The first one is in SA (against Benin), so we focus on that now.”

The Warriors will host Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Thursday, before travelling to Uyo, Nigeria, to face the Super Eagles on Monday.

Knowledge Musona

Meanwhile, Nees has urged France-based striker Tino Kadewere to put in the work and regain his form after missing national team call-ups due to injury.

Kadewere, who hasn’t played this year for Nantes, is absent from the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria.

“I have constant conversations with Tino. He was unfortunately made a scapegoat last time (after being) accused of faking an injury,” Nees said.

“But he was out for five months. So, I think everybody who publicly criticised him should apologise. He has been out of action since November.”

The German coach said Kadewere is still part of his plans, but he needs to show he can earn back his spot in the team.

“Tino is, of course, on our list. He plays at a very high level. He must just get the confidence back into his body, the fitness, the self-belief that his body can cope with everything.

“And then we will invite him and assess him. If he’s performing well, he will be invited. Even if he returns to the squad, maybe over the weekend, it would be too early,” the Warriors coach said.

“He was out of action for five months. It’s too early. Same with Bill Antonio. He was out of action for over a year with an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury.

“But with Tino, we have very good conversations and are very respectful. There’s no problem from my side with him.” — @FungaiMuderere