Musona hails Kaizer Chiefs ‘homecoming’ ahead of Toyota Cup clash

Knowledge Musona says returning to face Kaizer Chiefs has stirred powerful memories, describing the South African giants as the club that launched his professional career and his “first home outside Zim”.

The 36-year-old Scottland FC striker was speaking at a Toyota Cup press conference ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Chiefs at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex in Rustenburg, the third edition of the pre-season fixture.

Musona, who now plays his club football back in Zimbabwe, is visiting Chiefs for the first time since he left the Premier Soccer League more than a decade ago to pursue an extended spell in Europe and the Middle East.

“As for me, it’s a great honour, it feels good to be back,” Musona told reporters.

“This was my first home outside Zim and I’m so grateful to Kaizer Chiefs because they gave me the platform when I was young to showcase my talent.

“And from here I went abroad, so I’m very happy and very honoured to be back here and playing against the team that gave me the platform.”

Grateful for Kaizer Chiefs platform

Musona first arrived at Kaizer Chiefs in 2009 from Zimbabwean side Aces Youth SA and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in South African football.

Across two separate spells with the Glamour Boys, he recorded 40 goals and 13 assists in 88 appearances in all competitions, form that put him firmly on the radar of European scouts.

Those performances in Mzansi secured him a lucrative move to the German Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, marking the start of an extended journey abroad.

European and Middle East journey

After signing for Hoffenheim, Musona’s career took him through stints in Germany before he went on to play in Belgium and later in Saudi Arabia, adding significant international experience to the reputation he had built at Chiefs.

Following his time in Europe and the Middle East, the forward eventually returned to Zimbabwe, where he now leads the line for Scottland.

Toyota Cup reunion

Sunday’s Toyota Cup fixture pits Musona against his former club in a match that offers Chiefs fans a rare chance to see one of their former favourites back on South African soil.

Chiefs and Scottland meet on Sunday, 26 July, at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex in Rustenburg, with Musona’s emotional reunion with the club that “gave me the platform” likely to be one of the main storylines surrounding the game.