Knowledge Musona

Knowledge Musona (born 21 June 1990) is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays as a left winger or forward for Eupen in the Belgian First Division A, on loan from Anderlecht, and the Zimbabwe national team. Previously he has played senior football in South Africa and Germany.

Knowledge Musona
Personal information
Date of birth (1990-06-21) 21 June 1990
Place of birth Norton, Zimbabwe[1]
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Left winger, forward[1]
Club information
Current team
 Eupen (on loan from Anderlecht)
Number 10
Youth career
2005–2006 Manyame FC
2006–2007 Haka United
2007–2009 Aces Youth Soccer Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Kaizer Chiefs 49 (19)
2011–2014 1899 Hoffenheim 16 (0)
2012–2013 → Augsburg (loan) 14 (0)
2013–2014 → Kaizer Chiefs (loan) 19 (8)
2015–2018 Oostende 103 (35)
2018– Anderlecht 8 (1)
2019 → Lokeren (loan) 6 (1)
2020– → Eupen (loan) 24 (4)
National team‡
2010– Zimbabwe 42 (22)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 December 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 July 2019 (UTC)

Personal life

Knowledge "The smiling Assassin" Musona hails from Norton, Mashonaland West and attended Lord Malvern High School in Harare. His younger brother Walter Musona is also a professional footballer.[2]

Club career

Musona joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2009 without having made any appearance in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. At Aces he played with current Kaizer Chiefs player Khama Billiat.

He was used sparingly as a substitute in the 2009–10 season but still managed to score a handful of crucial goals. In July 2010 he was awarded the PSL Club Rookie of the Year award.[3]

The 2010–11 season proved to be Musona's break through season as he scored 15 goals in 28 league games to win the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot which attracted the interest of European clubs such as German Bundesliga side 1899 Hoffenheim, Serbian giants Partizan and Scottish heavyweights Celtic.

On 28 July 2011, Musona signed 1899 Hoffenheim, with the player signing a five-year contract for R19,5 million.[4] He made his debut as a substitute against SC Freiburg in a 3–1 win[5] and scored his first goal in a 2–1 DFB Pokal win over Köln on 25 October 2011. On 18 May 2012, it was announced that Musona would join Bundesliga side Augsburg on a one-year loan for the upcoming season.[6]

In July 2013, he left Germany moved back to his old South African club Kaizer Chiefs on a loan deal. He scored eight goals in 19 South African League matches, including a vital goal against Black Leopards which sent Kaizer Chiefs into the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.[7] Musona scored a hat trick in a 3–0 first-round, second-leg CAF Champions League victory over Liga Muculmana in Maputo on 6 March progressing to the next round of the competition on a 7–0 aggregate scoreline after winning 4–0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.[8] Musona suffered an ankle sprain in a 2–0 win over AS Vita Club in the CAF Champions League on 29 March 2014 where they lost 3–2 on aggregate. Musona ended the season with 16 goals in 25 starts in all competitions.[9] He attracted interest from clubs in Belgium, Germany and Roda of the Netherlands.[10] On 5 August, Musona started training with La Liga club, Granada.[11]

On 18 December 2014, Musona signed for Belgian club Oostende, effective 1 January 2015, with the player signing a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee. His agent Paschalis Tountouris stated that this move was the ideal step to revive his career.[12] He joined Bafana Bafana midfielder Andile Jali at the Belgian club.[13] He made his Belgian Pro League debut on 17 January 2015 in a 7–1 home defeat to K.V. Kortrijk. He was subbed off in the 67th minute, being replaced by Fernando Canesin.[14] He scored his first competitive goal for the club on 21 February 2015 in a 3–1 home defeat to Charleroi in the league. His goal, assisted by Elimane Coulibaly, was scored in the 77th minute.[15]

In May 2018, Musona moved to RSC Anderlecht, signing a four-year deal.[16][17][18] This came after reported interest from another Belgian side, Standard Liège.[19] He made his league debut for the club on the opening day of the season, coming on for Landry Dimata in the 86th minute of Anderlecht's 4–1 away victory over K.V. Kortrijk.[20] He scored his first competitive goal for the club on 26 August 2018 in a 2–1 away defeat to Club Brugge. His goal, assisted by Ivan Santini, was scored in the 19th minute and levelled the scores at one.[21][22][23]

In January 2019, Musona was loaned out to Lokeren until the end of the 2018–19 season.[24][25][26][27] He made his league debut for the club on 19 January 2019, playing all ninety minutes of a 4–1 away defeat to Eupen.[28] He scored his first league goal for the club on 9 February 2019 in a 2–1 home victory over Royal Antwerp. His goal, assisted by Marko Mirić, was scored in the 32nd minute.[29][30]


In July 2020, Knowledge Musona scored in the last warm up match against Sint Truiden for his new side KAS Eupen. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.[31]

International career

He made his national team debut in a friendly against South Africa on 3 March 2010.[32] He is often considered to be one of the finest strikers to ever come out of Zimbabwe. He scored a blinder of a goal vs Tunisia at AFCON 2017 beating two defenders and smashing the ball beyond the goalkeeper. His goals have also helped Belgian League outfit KV Oostende. On 11 June 2017 he scored a hat trick to join other Zimbabwe hat trick heroes like the legendary Peter Ndlovu and Vitalis Takawira.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played on 17 July 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total Ref.
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kaizer Chiefs 2009–10 South African Premier Division 2140000??00214 [33]
2010–11 28150000??002815 [33]
Kaizer Chiefs 4919000000004919 –
1899 Hoffenheim 2011–12 Bundesliga 16011——00171 [33]
FC Augsburg (loan) 2012–13 Bundesliga 14031——00171 [33]
Kaizer Chiefs (loan) 2013–14 South African Premier Division 1981132?53[lower-alpha 1]02616 [33]
Oostende 2014–15 Pro League 15500——00155 [34]
2015–16 351310——003613 [34]
2016–17 First Division A 291033——1[lower-alpha 2]03313 [34]
2017–18 24722—2[lower-alpha 3]1002810 [34]
Total 1033565—211012241 –
Anderlecht 2018–19 First Division A 8100—2000101 [34]
Lokeren 2018–19 First Division A 6100—–0061 [34]
Career total 2156411832464023780 –
  1. Appearances in the MTN 8
  2. Appearance in the Belgian 'Europa League' play-offs
  3. Appearances in the Europa League

International
As of matches played on 17 July 2019[1]
Zimbabwe national team
YearAppsGoals
201051
201135
201252
201343
201410
201521
201653
201744
201831
201971
Total3921

International goals
As of 17 July 2019[1]
Scores and results list Zimbabwe's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.5 September 2010SKD Sports Complex, Paynesville Liberia
1–0
1–1
2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2.5 June 2011Rufaro Stadium, Harare Mali
1–0
2–1
2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3.
2–1
4.8 October 2011Estádio da Várzea, Praia Cape Verde
2–1
2–1
5.15 November 2011Rufaro Stadium, Harare South Africa
1–1
2–1
Friendly
6.
2–1
7.29 February 2012Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium, Bujumbura Burundi
1–1
1–2
2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
8.17 June 2012National Sports Stadium, Harare
1–0
1–0
9.26 March 2013Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria Egypt
1–1
2–1
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
10.9 June 2013National Sports Stadium, Harare
1–1
4–2
11.10 September 2013Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg South Africa
1–0
2–1
Friendly
12.6 September 2015Rufaro Stadium, Harare Guinea
1–1
1–1
2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
13.28 March 2016National Sports Stadium, Harare Swaziland
1–0
4–0
14.5 June 2016 Malawi
1–0
3–0
15.13 November 2016 Tanzania
1–0
3–0
Friendly
16.23 January 2017Stade d'Angondjé, Libreville Tunisia
1–3
2–4
2017 Africa Cup of Nations
17.11 June 2017National Sports Stadium, Harare Liberia
1–0
3–0
2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
18.
2–0
19.
3–0
20.13 October 2018Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa DR Congo
2–0
2–1
21.24 March 2019National Sports Stadium, Harare Congo
2–0
2–0

References
  1. Knowledge Musona at National-Football-Teams.com
  2. "Zimbabwe/South Africa: Musona Impresses Mamelodi Sundowns". 25 July 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2017 – via AllAfrica.
  3. "Musona scoops PSL rookie of season award". IOL Sport. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  4. "Neuer Angreifer für Hoffenheim" [New Striker for Hoffenheim] (in German). Deutsche Fußball Liga. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  5. "Knowledge Musona sets Hoffenheim's European target". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  6. "Xhaka nach Gladbach, Klasnic auf Vereinssuche" (in German). Spiegel Online. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  7. "Musona zurück in der Heimat" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  8. mobi.supersport.com/football/caf-champions-league/news/140308/Musona_treble_sends_Chiefs_through
  9. www.realnet.co.uk. "Kaizer Chiefs medics worried about Knowledge Musona". Kick Off. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  10. "Second-tier Dutch club want Zimbabwean striker Knowledge Musona". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  11. "Knowledge Musona Is Training With Granada CF". www.soccerladuma.co.za. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  12. "Musona chooses Belgium - The Herald". www.herald.co.zw. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  13. "Tiyani wa ka Mabasa" [Musona joins Oostende]. Kick Off. 18 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  14. "KV Oostende vs. Kortrijk – 17 January 2015 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  15. "KV Oostende vs. Sporting Charleroi – 21 February 2015 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  16. "Zimbabwe's Knowledge Musona excited by Anderlecht challenge". bbc.com. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  17. "Knowledge Musona signs for Anderlecht". sport24.co.za. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  18. "Zimbabwean Footballer Musona Joins Anderlecht". allafrica.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  19. "Anderlecht beat Standard Liege to Knowledge Musona's signature". iol.co.za. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  20. "Kortrijk vs. Anderlecht – 28 July 2018 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  21. "Club Brugge vs. Anderlecht – 26 August 2018 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  22. "Musona opens Anderlecht account". herald.co.zw. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  23. "Knowledge Musona scores first Anderlecht goal". soccer24.co.zw. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  24. "Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona joins Lokeren on loan from Anderlecht". goal.com. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  25. "Musona joins Lokeren". newsday.co.zw. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  26. "Knowledge Musona Joins Belgian Bottom-club KSC Lokeren On Loan". news.pindula.co.zw. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  27. "Warriors forward Knowledge Musona joins Sprting Lokeren on loan". zwnews.com. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  28. "AS Eupen vs. Lokeren – 19 January 2019 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  29. "Lokeren vs. Antwerp – 9 February 2019 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  30. "Zimbabwe: Musona Scores First Goal for New Belgian Side KSC Lokeren". allafrica.com. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  31. Madzokere, Munyaradzi (2 August 2020). "Zimbabwe: Musona Strikes Ahead of Season Kickoff". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  32. "South Africa vs. Zimbabwe (3:0)". national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  33. Knowledge Musona at Soccerway. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  34. "Knowledge Musona » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
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