WALTER MUSONA FACT FILE

Thomas Kwenaite: Two draws against two top nations, Rwanda and Nigeria, in 2026 World Cup qualifiers away in Rwanda… not too bad hey?

Walter Musona:

The draws against Rwanda and Nigeria, I think we did our best under difficult circumstances as you are aware that our national team has just returned from suspension and there are too many new faces. But having said that, I think we did our best. We tried our best, but because we are still fairly new to each other, we are still trying to get to know each other better. With more games, I think we will get even better.

TK: What were the challenges of playing two matches away from home?

WM:

It was very difficult. I think if we had played the home match against Nigeria in Harare, we were going to do much better than in Rwanda. It is extremely difficult to play a home match away from home. But we have to live under the circumstances and conditions prevalent in the country and somehow try to find a balance. We went for maximum points in both games, but when one considers that we drew both games, that was not bad at all. Our situation is not unique. There are close to 23 countries whose home grounds have been deemed unfit to host international matches and consequently they are forced to play home matches away.

TK: What a goal against Nigeria! What went through your mind when you took that free kick?

WM:

It was the first time to score a long-range free kick. I have scored many such goals from almost similar positions in the past, even in the South African Premier League. For me, this is nothing new and I was just confident when I stepped up to the ball. I watched the Nigerian goalkeeper, his positioning and the way he prepared his wall, and took a decision where to place the ball. The connection was perfect and you know it when everything else works to perfection, the co-ordination and the flight of the ball … you know that feeling? That’s what happened that day and I was so pleased.

TK: It was not the first time that we’d seen you score a free kick like that one, you also did it against Itumeleng Khune back in 2018 for Polokwane City.

WM:

It’s something that I would like to believe as a player I have been blessed with. I cannot explain it because it’s something that’s within me. As players, we have different capabilities. I think that’s something within me. I’ve got power and the technique to shoot, so I think I have to continue training and practicing and, who knows, I will probably go on to score more goals. I remember a similar free kick I scored against Itumeleng Khune for Polokwane City and I also scored (past) Daniel Akpeyi

from similar range. participate. That can be discouraging and demotivating, you know. But I thank God that whatever needed to be fixed was fixed to ensure that FIFA lifted the suspension. We are now back within the family hood of football-playing nations and want to make the most of it.

TK: What did your big brother, Knowledge Musona, tell you after the game against Nigeria?

WM:

At the end of the game, when I opened my mobile phone I saw a message from him, conme. gratulating He even asked how did I manage to score that goal? I told him that it’s my daily bread and butit ter stuff, was not my first time to score from long range. I even teased him and told him that one of these days when we get together I would teach him how to score free kicks from long range.

TK: Ha, ha, ha, nice one. Does he sometimes call you and give you advice and tips on how to sucWM: ceed?

Full name: Walter Tatenda Musona Date of birth: 12 December 1995 Place of birth: Norton, Zimbabwe

Position: Striker-cum-winger Jersey number: 10 Club: FC Platinum (Zimbabwe)