Returning Zimbabwe star urges Warriors to shock Nigeria & Benin in World Cup qualifiers

Former Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona has urged his teammates to step up and secure maximum points against Nigeria and Benin in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Soccernet.ng reports.

Zimbabwe, currently bottom of Group C with two points, will first face joint leaders Benin on March 20 before a high-stakes clash against Nigeria in Uyo five days later.

The Super Eagles have never lost a competitive game to the Warriors, winning four and drawing two in their previous six encounters.

Nigeria and Zimbabwe played out a 1-1 draw when the two met on matchday two of the qualifiers, Kelechi Iheanacho cancelling out a fierce Walter Musona drive.

Zimbabwe 1 – Nigeria 0

Musona 30 yard drive #ZIMNGA pic.twitter.com/TCycwIDv37

— EasySmile (@munya_schilla) November 19, 2023

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Despite the odds, Musona believes Zimbabwe can revive their World Cup hopes with a strong performance in these upcoming fixtures.

Three years after retiring from international football, the 34-year-old midfielder has made a surprise return to the squad.

He will lead Zimbabwe against Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban before flying to Nigeria for what promises to be a daunting task against the three-time African champions.

Musona, however, remains optimistic.

What Musona said ahead of Nigeria, Benin games 

“[I am] feeling good, feeling great, happy to be back and looking forward to the upcoming games. My first training was good and I’ve seen a lot of quality. I think the future is bright for the Warriors, and I’m looking forward [to helping] these youngsters and contributing to their development,” he told DiskiAfrica.

Knowledge Musona is happy to be back in the Zimbabwe squad and looks ahead to the Benin game in Durban. #WCQ #WC2026Q pic.twitter.com/qag2jVOUne

— AFCON 2025 (@DiskiAfrika) March 18, 2025

“In football, everything is possible, and it starts with this game that is coming. The most important [thing] is to take the three points first in this coming game and try to go and also collect some points in Nigeria, but I think the focus now has to be against Benin.

“With this quality and this group, I think we are able to collect maximum points, and it all depends on the work that we put in on training and of course in the match that is coming.

“I really believe that we have a team, and personally, I would love that we win these two games that are coming to stay in contention [for] the World Cup qualifiers,” Musona added.

With just two points from four matches, Zimbabwe trail joint leaders Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin by five points.

Winning most, if not all, of their six remaining fixtures is crucial if they are to secure a historic first-ever World Cup qualification.

It is, however, the same challenge for Nigeria, who have made six appearances at the World Cup, since the Super Eagles’ debut in 1994.

The Super Eagles, the highest-ranked team in Group C, boast only three points from their first four games.

The 2013 AFCON champions, who are without a win in the World Cup qualifiers, are in Kigali to face Rwanda on Friday before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25th.