Talk about the imminent return of Knowledge Musona to the senior men national team is spreading like wildfire just like what happened in the case of Khama Billiat.
Billiat has already made his return from international retirement and featured for Zimbabwe in the two 2025 Afcon final qualifiers, against Kenya and Cameroon.
He received plaudits from a larger section of The Warriors fan base for his performance in the drab goalless draws.
It was a clear reflection of how we are afraid of moving on as a country as well as lack of faith in the next generation of players to take Warriors forward.
Now media reports suggest that The Warriors’ German coach Michael Nees is in talks with Saudi Arabia-based Musona with a view of convincing him to come out of retirement.
The talisman was not included in The Warriors squad for back-to-back Afcon qualifiers against Namibia this month.
Musona decided to call time on his Warriors career two years ago in May 2022 after captaining the country during one of its most successful eras characterised by three consecutive Afcon final qualifications between 2017 and 2021.
In two of the campaigns, that is 2019 and 2021, he was the captain of the team.
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The 34-year-old forward is arguably one of the finest players to ever don the national team jersey and boasts 24 goals from 51 appearances.
When he announced his retirement, Musona's statement showed his love for the country and satisfaction with the contribution he made in the national team.
“I am retiring to concentrate on my career at the club level and to afford my other teammates and rising stars the opportunity to represent our beloved country,” he wrote on his microblogging site X formerly Twitter.
Now if he returns, what will happen to "other teammates and rising stars"?
It probably means that budding stars like Tawanda Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise, Daniel Musendami and Douglas Mapfumo, just to mention a few, will drop down the pecking order and possibly cease to be members of the team.
There will also be no urgent need to pursue English Premiership side teenage striker Leon Chiwome as well as Michael Ndiweni who also plays for Ashington.
Will there be any need to consider Belgium-based forward Bill Antonio or other forwards such as Prince Dube, Obriel Chirinda, Takunda Benhura and Tymon Machope?
What we need to do as a country is not to live in the past but to build a strong foundation for future success instead of instant glory, especially after a lengthy Fifa suspension.
If we bring back Musona, what can stop us from bringing back 37-year-old China-based striker Nyasha Mushekwi who has been scoring goals for fun in that country?
It is a precedent that we do not want to set and cannot afford.
We will also need to bring back Tendayi Darikwa who is having an impressive season with English League One side Lincoln City.
While experience is important in the team, Zimbabwe currently have enough of it in the current Warriors setup in players like Billiat, Tino Kadewere, Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Andy Rinomhota, Teenage Hadebe and Gerald Takwara.
The focus should be on introducing talented young players to carry the baton forward.
It is not surprising that those pushing for the return of Musona may be doing so to gain political mileage especially with the Zifa elections on the horizon.
Honestly, at the moment we need decisions that benefit the country as a whole going into the future.
Let’s grant Musona his wish to concentrate on club football in the twilight of his career and give up-and-coming stars a chance to take The Warriors forward.
