FORMER Dynamos star Bill Antonio made his long-awaited return to competitive action after featuring as a second half substitute for his Belgium Pro-league side KV Mechelen in a leaue clash against Genk on Saturday evening.
The game marked the winger's first appearance in a competitive match in more than 10 months following a long term injury.
Antonio ruptured his ACL in a league game in early March last year and had not featured for his club in a competitive game since then.
After months of rehabilitation, the 22-year-old was introduced as a second half substitute in a 2-1 home defeat against Genk.
He made a 22-minute appearance, replacing Algerian Rafik Belghali as his team chased the game, having fallen 2-1 in the first half despite taking an early lead.
There was, however, little the former DeMbare star could do to help his team avoid the defeat.
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KV Mechelen coach Besnik Hasi said he will slowly infuse his star man back into the team.
"He needs time to reach his best level. We should not set expectations too high for him," Hasi said.
Last year, Antonio scored three goals in 12 games and Mechelen will be hoping his return could help them push for their target of reaching the top six and qualify for the championship round.
Mechelen fell to 10th position on the 16-team league following the weekend defeat.
Antonio would be looking to hit his top form soon and put himself in the frame for Warriors selection after missing the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign last year due to the injury.
His absence was barely missed, as the Michael Nees-coached side qualified to the Afcon finals in Morocco in December, with a game to spare.
Nees is next month expected to announce his squad for the two 2026 World Cup qualifiers set for March.
Zimbabwe resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a home match against Benin before travelling to Nigeria.
The Warriors currently anchor the six-team Group C with two points, five behind joint leaders Rwanda and South Africa after four rounds of matches.
Zimbabwe will host Benin outside the country as the National Sports Stadium is currently undergoing renovations.
Nees, who presided over the successful 2025 Afcon qualification campaign despite playing home matches in foreign land, believes it will be hard this time around.
"What is more challenging is that we cannot play at home. We always have costs, logistical challenges and no income. And we cannot play in front of our people. For sure, this makes it very difficult, because honestly, Zimbabwe is a football-crazy country. We could play any opponent right now and it would be packed any day of the week, anytime," Nees said.
He is aware of the big task facing his team, but he feels they can still turn things around.
“Well, if you look at our qualifying group, we are in the last position. We don't need to beat around the bush here, we are not in a very good position. But still, there are six games to play. And we see that as a double project,” Nees said.