Former Warriors captain Knowledge Musona has come out of international retirement and has been named in the squad for Zimbabwe’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria.
At 34 years old, Musona’s first stint with the national team spanned 12 years, during which he earned 54 caps and scored 24 goals.
Currently playing for Al Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League, Musona’s return to the national team adds a wealth of experience to the squad. 
He joins Khama Billiat and Washington Arubi as part of a group of seasoned players who have made a comeback since Michael Nees took over as head coach last year.
Below is the squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Group C against Benin and Nigeria:
GOALKEEPERS:
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC)
DEFENDERS:
Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Divine Lunga (Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Peter Muduhwa (Scottland), Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos)
MIDFIELDERS:
Marshall Munetsi (Wolves), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Mthokozisi Msebe (Scottland), Khama Billiat (Scottland), Knowledge Musona (Al-Okhdood), Tawanda Chirewa (Huddersfield Town)
FORWARDS:
Prince Dube (Young Africans), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tymon Machope (Scottland), Walter Musona (Scottland).

Pindula News

Former Zimbabwean soccer player Knowledge Musona is coming back to play for the national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He has a lot of experience and has scored many goals for the team before. Musona will join other experienced players in the team. The team will play against Benin and Nigeria. The squad also includes players like Khama Billiat and Washington Arubi. Musona currently plays for Al Okhdood in Saudi Arabia. The squad has goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards ready for the games.

Knowledge Musona Returns To Warriors For 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

The Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team, the Warriors, will face Benin in their Matchday 5, 2026 Group C FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa. The match is scheduled for Thursday, 20 March 2025, with a 6 PM kick-off time.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has set the entrance fee for the Rest of the Ground at R50.
Originally, ZIFA had planned to host the fixture in Polokwane. However, after the venue was allocated to Bafana Bafana in January, alternative locations were considered. ZIFA said in a statement:
<blockquote>
Johannesburg’s approved stadiums were unavailable due to rugby and other events, while Cape Town Stadium is undergoing pitch renovations.
After an extensive search, Moses Mabhida Stadium emerged as the perfect venue – a world-class facility that has hosted top international matches and offers ideal conditions for our playing style.
ZIFA is excited to bring the Warriors closer to their passionate supporters in Durban and across the region.
</blockquote>
ZIFA urged all Zimbabwean football fans to come out in full force, fill the stands with yellow and green, and rally behind the team as they continue their pursuit of World Cup qualification.
Zimbabwe currently sits at the bottom of Group C with just 2 points from four matches.
Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin each have 7 points, while Lesotho follows with 5 points. Nigeria has accumulated 3 points.

The Warriors, Zimbabwe's soccer team, will play Benin in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa. The match is on 20th March at 6 PM. The entrance fee is R50. The game was moved from Polokwane to Durban due to venue issues. ZIFA chose Moses Mabhida Stadium because it's a world-class facility. They want fans to come and support the team. The team needs to win to qualify for the World Cup.

Warriors To Face Benin In FIFA World Cup Qualifier At Moses Mabhida Stadium

Warriors striker <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Tino_Kadewere">Tino Kadewere</a> has saluted Zimbabweans based in Rwanda who came in large numbers to support the national team during the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers played at at Huye Stadium in Butare.
Zimbabwe played Rwanda at Huye Stadium on 15 November and the match ended 0-0.
Four days later, the Warriors hosted the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the same venue as Zimbabwe does not have a stadium that meets CAF standards. The match ended 1-1.
The Sunday News reported Kadewere as saying that Zimbabweans based in Rwanda who cheered the team in both matches created an atmosphere associated with playing at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, and made the Warriors feel at home. Said Kadewere:
<blockquote>
We never felt away from home. These guys have been amazing. When we heard that we would play both our games in Rwanda, we thought we would miss everything, like the atmosphere associated with playing at the National Sports Stadium. But we were wrong. These guys made us feel at home. We salute them.
</blockquote>
Butare is located about 126 kilometres south-west of Kigali, the Rwandan capital.
The road trip from Kigali to Butare takes about three hours, as the road passes through many hills, and vehicles travel at a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per hour. The trip costs RF2 500 (around US$2).
Many Zimbabweans were ready to endure the six-hour round trips to back the Warriors.
Diana Marerwa, a primary school teacher living in Keza, on the outskirts of Kigali, has been living in Rwanda for the past 25 years.
She was among among the hordes of Zimbabweans based in Rwanda who attended both games. Said Marerwa:
<blockquote>
I am a teacher based in Kigali. Once we heard that Zimbabwe would play two games here, we started mobilising each other so that we could attend the games.
I am very happy that I managed to attend both games. Our players were also very happy to see us rallying behind them.
It motivated them a lot, and we hope to see more of this, not just in football, but in other sports, here, for they are guaranteed support.
</blockquote>
Kidson Chiworera who works in Mwanza, said that the Warriors matches enabled him to physically meet with his virtual compatriots. He said:
<blockquote>
Of course, we came here for both games to show our support for the national team, but this was also an opportunity for us to meet physically with Zimbabweans who are based in this country.
We talk to each other on social media and the phone, but this was an opportunity for us to meet in person.
That’s why you saw us hugging and jumping before these games.
We were actually celebrating being together, physically, for the first time.
We are one big community and we love each other. That is why it was never difficult for us to come together and say guys, let’s go and rally behind our Warriors.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabweans appeared to outnumber the Rwandans in the first game and also sang famous songs such as “Yave nyama yekugocha” and “Vakomana vekwedu” which created a home atmosphere for the Warriors.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kadewere Salutes Zimbabweans Based In Rwanda For Creating "Home" Atmosphere At Warriors Matches

Warriors coach Baltemar Brito said he was happy with the players’ performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C qualifier against Nigeria on Sunday, 19 November, but was disappointed with the result.
Zimbabwe drew 1-1 against Nigeria in a match played at the Huye Stadium in Butare, Rwanda.
The Warriors created arguably the best chances in the match but failed to take maximum points after Walter Musona’s stunning free-kick in the first half was cancelled out by a Kelechi Iheanacho strike in the second half.
Teenage Hadebe, Devine Lunga and Tanaka Shandirwa then wasted great chances, leaving the Brazilian-born coach frustrated. Said Brito:
<blockquote>
I am happy but disappointed as well. It was a really good game of football by the players. They gave it their all and I think for all the effort they deserve to be praised.
I salute this group of players for their committed fight on the field. It was a close contest, but I think we fashioned out the best chances.
Nigeria were in our box very few times. I think we had a chance to win the game but credit to the players for the fight.
</blockquote>
The World Cup qualifiers resume next year and Zimbabwe will host Lesotho before travelling to South Africa for a date against Bafana Bafana. Both matches will be played between 3 and 11 June 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

Brito Happy But Disappointed After Warriors Fail To Beat Nigeria

The Warriors will play their 2026 World Cup home qualifiers outside the country as Zimbabwe doesn’t have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches.
According to a CAF circular, the National Sports Stadium (NSS) was excluded from the list of pre-approved stadiums for the qualifiers which begin this November.
This is despite recent assurances made by then Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry that renovations at the stadium will be fast-tracked to ensure that the Warriors play World Cup games at home.
Zimbabwe are in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers together with Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho.
The Warriors begin their campaign away in Rwanda on 13 November 2023. A week later, they host Nigeria in a home match which will be played outside Zimbabwe.
The ZIFA normalisation committee, which is temporarily running the affairs of the national association, has until 8 September 2023 to secure a venue where they will host Nigeria.
Zimbabwe is among 24 countries of the 54 CAF membership, including fellow Group C members Benin and Lesotho, who have no approved stadiums to host international matches.
In 2019, CAF and FIFA suspended NSS from hosting international matches due to its poor condition.
Improvements that need to be done on the facility include the installation of bucket seats made of unbreakable and non-inflammable material, modern electronic turnstiles and automated systems, and the setting up of a functional Venue Operations Centre with a good overview of the stadium equipped with CCTV monitors for security purposes.
In the meantime, the Warriors can use the Obedi Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, which meets the CAF requirements, as their home ground.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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