Benjani Mwaruwari hails trio

Fungai Muderere
Work ethic and ability to listen to advice has seen Warriors trio of Marshal Munetsi, Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat dribble into the heart of ex-senior national team captain Benjani Mwaruwari.

Munetsi does duty for French top side Stade de Reims and Musona is in the books of Belgian outfit K.A.S. Eupen.

Billiat turns out for Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa.

“Each and every time, I talk to these boys I must say, I like Munetsi’s work ethic. Just like Musona and Billiat, Munetsi is a hard worker,” said Mwaruwari, a former Portsmouth and Manchester City striker.

Marshal Munetsi

The ex-Warriors skipper, who is studying towards a Diploma in Sports Management and working on attaining his coaching badges in England, added that he would always remain available to provide guidance to the trio on the demands and trials of playing football in Europe.

“Actually, these boys are great listeners and the fact that they have so much respect for me has been driving me to grant them ideal guidance on the demands and challenges of playing football at the highest level,” he said.

The 22-year-old Munetsi, who previously turned out for Orlando Pirates, admits it has not been a stroll in the park for him.

He revealed this in an interview with South Africa news website IOL.co.za after completing a transfer to the French side two weeks ago.

“It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I pushed through to get to where I am now as a player,” Munetsi told South Africa news website IOL.co.za

“I am very glad about the progress that I have made. I am just glad that Orlando Pirates gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream,” he added.

Fondly known as the Smiling Assassin, Musona has had his fair share of challenges in Belgium and with the senior national team. He was denied game time at Anderlecht and this prompted his move to K.A.S. Eupen with the hope to resuscitate his career.

Knowledge Musona

Musona joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2009 without having made any appearance in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. At Aces he played with Billiat, a player whose failure to replicate his form at Mamelodi Sundowns for his current club Amakhosi has been in the news for so long.

Despite still showing that he is one of the most talented players on the continent, he has been criticised for failing to give Chiefs what he gave Sundowns where he won three league titles and the Confederation of African Football Champions League trophy in 2016.

Sundowns legend Roger Feutmba recently noted that the difference in style of play as well as the difference in quality between Chiefs and Sundowns had affected the Warriors talisman.

Billiat has also spent considerable time on the sidelines due to injuries since he left Pitso Mosimane’s side.

Feutmba told KickOff magazine the reasons behind Billiat and Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s failure to meet the high expectations that characterised their arrival at Chiefs.

“When you look at those two players, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Khama Billiat, they have done much more at Sundowns,” Feutmba told the magazine.

“I strongly believe they did well because they were surrounded by great players. They were playing under the philosophy which suited their qualities. But you can’t just say they are not doing well for Kaizer Chiefs. I think they are doing well even though it’s not the same as they were at Sundowns. Also, you can’t compare because it’s two different styles and philosophies. Chiefs rely on going forward and look for their top strikers, while at Sundowns they play patiently, building up their attack, and don’t play long-balls. If you want to get the best out of them, you must play positive football,” he said.

Billiat could still win the league title with Chiefs this season as Amakhosi sit at the top of the league table.

Orlando Pirates and Sundowns are in hot pursuit, but Covid-19 could deny them the league title.

While at Chiefs they are still waiting to see the real Billiat, his performances for the Warriors have not waned having led them to a famous win over Zambia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after scoring a double at the Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

After his performance at the 2019 Afcon finals, he reignited interest from Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek.

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