The Warriors have been handed a boost ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals following the arrival of the in-form national team captain Knowledge Musona in Cameroon on Tuesday evening.
Musona, who will be participating in his third successive Afcon tournament, is one of the most experienced players in the Warriors squad which is missing several experienced players due to injuries.
The continental showpiece has come at a perfect time for Musona who has been enjoying a good run of form for his club in Saudi Arabia.
Checking in@KMusonaofficial pic.twitter.com/atze9drgtG
— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) January 4, 2022
Musona was early this week recognized for his form at Saudi Arabian topflight side Al Tai by being nominated for the Western Asia Region Player of the Month accolade for the month of December.
قاد 🇿🇼 نوليدج موسونا @KMusonaofficial نادي الطائي 🇸🇦 لتحقيق 3⃣ انتصارات في ديسمبر 2021 حينما سجل هدفين في مرمى الفيصلي وهدف الفوز الثمين في شباك الحزم ليتقدم الفريق إلى المركز الثامن في الترتيب!
هل كان أفضل لاعب في غرب آسيا لشهر ديسمبر 2021؟
صوّت الآن ⬇️https://t.co/aV5gMlju08 pic.twitter.com/AQRBVD73GW
— دوري أبطال آسيا (@theAFCCL_ar) January 4, 2022
The 31-year-old hitman led his club to two victories in December, scoring three goals in the process – two goals against Al-Faisaly and an important winning goal against Al-Hazm on Sunday.
His contribution lifted the newly promoted team up from the drop zone to eighth place on the log standings with 19 points from 15 games.
Musona will be hoping to reproduce his club form in Warriors colours as Zimbabwe seek to go beyond the group stages of the competition for the first time in the country’s history.
The Zimbabwe squad will depart Yaoundé on Wednesday for the city of Bafoussam ahead of their opening Group B encounter against pre-tournament favourites Senegal on January 10.
Luton Town forward Admiral Muskwe is expected to arrive on Thursday before the team depart Yaounde.
England-based Zimbabwean rising star Jordan Zemura, whose participation was in doubt due to the Covid-19 outbreak at his club Bournemouth, is also expected to join camp on Thursday.
France-based striker Tino Kadewere and Scotland-based forward David Moyo trained with the team for the first time on Tuesday while Kuda Mahachi resumed light training after picking up a knock in the friendly match against Sudan on Sunday.
Zimbabwe’s 23-man squad for the 2021 CAF Africa Cup of Nations:
Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari (FC Platinum), Martin Mapisa (FC Zamora, Spain), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars, South Africa)
Defenders: Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi, Georgia), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana, Zambia), Jordan Zemura (FC Bournemouth, England), Godknows Murwira, Gerald Takwara (Venda Football Academy, South Africa), Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo, USA), Bruce Kangwa (Azam, Tanzania), Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United, South Africa)
Midfielders: Kelvin Madzongwe (FC Platinum), Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United, Zambia), Never Tigere (Azam, Tanzania), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars, South Africa), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United, South Africa), Kundai Benyu (Vestri, Iceland)
Strikers: Admiral Muskwe (Luton Town, England), Prince Dube (Azam, Tanzania), David Moyo (Hamilton Academia, Scotland), Knowledge Musona (Al-Tai, Saud Arabia), Tinotenda Kadewere (Olympique Lyon, France).