RETIREMENT IS ALL PART OF FOOTBALL

Fabian Mudhegu

FORMER Warriors captain Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat are one of the finest players to ever wore Zimbabwe’s national team colors, and the fans are having a tough time letting them go.

Zimbabweans believe the duo have some “Cristiano Ronaldo” magic in them and ought to come out of retirement to lead the ‘inexperienced’ national team into victory.

The Warriors footballing days were reignited days before the World Cup qualifiers draw after the world’s football governing body FIFA uplifted the ZIFA suspension. The Warriors are drawn together with Nigeria who gave them nightmares in 2006, regional rivals South Africa, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The suspension came when the Zimbabwe Government’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended the ZIFA board due to financial irregularities and allegations of sexual harassment of female referees by the technical staff.

During the ban period, the Warriors missed the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers games.

The biggest worry now on football followers is how the lads will fare out in the coming matches due to loss of Warriors, Former captain Knowledge Musona (The Smiling Assassin) and Khama Billiat.

Zimbabwe’s all time goal scorer, Musona, retired from participating in international clashes during the 18-month suspension by FIFA. His decision may have came due to the suspension and now some of the fans are crying for his return to boost confidence to the new blood.

One of the fans commented on the Facebook page, Cucsman
“Musona is a bit old but we still need him to lead these young ones just like what we see in other nations where a 38 year old Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing for Portugal. Same to Messi, Di Maria and other players. Musona and Billiat should be given another chance. Musona is aged only 33, and Khama 32, can we say they are older?. No, they deserves another chance, it’s good for us, believe me.”

Khama Billiat is also a player not to forget especially when talking of Zimbabwe’s National Team. He has been very crucial to the nation by scoring and providing assists as well as instilling confidence and fighting spirit to the young-stars like Knox Mutizwa and Devine Lunga. Khama announced his retirement from the national team some months before the suspension was imposed.

Zimbabwe football lovers were hurt with his decision. Now, the opportunity is back, fans are crying for one last chance hoping to make history in the coming world cup qualifiers matches.

Another fan commented on the matter, “Khama must be called for these coming games. We need at least five, seven experienced players to lead the squad.”

He added, “We have Nakamba, Yes. We cannot have a squad of young-stars only, if you really know football you understand that in the last World Cup, Spain lost because they had a squad of inexperienced players. They relied on teenagers, and left out players like Sergio Ramos. That’s not football, we need Khama and Musona at least.”

Currently, Musona is doing well in his Saudi Club Al Riyadh which he has captained to two victories so far in their pre season. But as things stand and in spur of lack of experience, Zimbabwe boosts of a golden generation in the likes of Tino Kadewere, Marvellous Nakamba, Prince Dube and Marshall Munetsi who can guide the Warriors to glory.

Zim GBC News©2023

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