Musona expecting emotional return to his ‘home away from home’ in Toyota Cup

Musona was at the Chiefs Village in Naturena yesterday, ahead of tomorrow’s Toyota Cup pre-season friendly match between Scottland and Amakhosi at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg. Musona had two stints at Chiefs between 2009 and 2011 and was on loan from Bundesliga club Augsburg between 2013 and 2014. He played a total of 68 matches for Chiefs overall and scored 27 goals. He’s grateful for the role Amakhosi have played in his life.

"As for me, it's a great honor; it feels good to be back. This was my first home outside Zimbabwe. I am so grateful to Kaizer Chiefs because they gave me the platform when I was young to showcase my talent. From here, I went abroad, so I am very happy, and I am very honored to be back here again playing against the team that gave me the platform," said Musona.

READ: Linda Motlhalo feels honoured ahead of her 100th national team cap

Chiefs was Musona’s first-ever professional football team, and one of only two African teams he’s played for (also Scottland), in a career that has seen him play in Germany, Belgium and Saudi Arabia. 

It’s going to be one of those rare moments for Musona, coming up against his former team, and the 36-year-old is bracing himself for an exciting game against his beloved Amakhosi.

"It's a great honor to be here, but unfortunately, I am playing for the opposite team. I am looking forward to the game on Sunday. It's good to be back here in South Africa. It is also an honor for us to be invited here to South Africa because Kaizer Chiefs is a very big team in Africa. We are very happy that we are going to be competing on Sunday, and we are looking forward to the game."

As the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League champions, Scottland will represent their country in the CAF Champions League later this year. Playing against a strong Chiefs side that reached the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup last season, Scotland’s head coach Norman Mapeza says this will help them to prepare for the continental showpiece.

Scottland looked to be on course to defend their title, as they currently enjoy a seven-point lead at the top after 24 matches in the 18-team league. With still more than 10 games to go, Mapeza is adopting a cautious approach.