Walter Musona emerged from a youth academy that produced his famous brother, as well as Khama Billiat and George Chigova, to mention just the three. When he joined Polokwane City, a lot was predicted about another Musona likely to terrorize local defenders like his brother had done. But things have not gone quite as everybody predicted and after spells with both Rise and Shine and Sekhukhune United, the younger Musona returned to Zimbabwe to recharge his batteries. A stunning long-range free kick that he smashed against Nigeria in a 2026 World Cup qualifier proved just what he is capable of. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Thomas Kwenaite, the 28-year-old reveals scoring free kicks comes almost naturally to him. He also talks about whether a sibling's shadow could have done more harm than good for his career, and how he is progressing with his current club back home…
Thomas Kwenaite: Two draws against two top nations, Rwanda and Nigeria, in 2026 World Cup qualifiers away in Rwanda… not too bad hey?
Walter Musona: The draws against Rwanda and Nigeria, I think we did our best under difficult circumstances as you are aware that our national team has just returned from suspension and there are too many new faces. But having said that, I think we did our best. We tried our best, but because we are still fairly new to each other, we are still trying to get to know each other better. With more games, I think we will get even better.
TK: What were the challenges of playing two matches away from home?
WM: It was very difficult. I think if we had played the home match against Nigeria in Harare, we were going to do much better than in Rwanda. It is extremely difficult to play a home match away from home. But we have to live under the circumstances and conditions prevalent in the country and somehow try to find a balance. We went for maximum points in both games, but when one considers that we drew both games, that was not bad at all. Our situation is not unique. There are close to 23 countries whose home grounds have been deemed unfit to host international matches and consequently they are forced to play home matches away.
TK: What a goal against Nigeria! What went through your mind when you took that free kick?
WM: It was the first time to score a long-range free kick. I have scored many such goals from almost similar positions in the past, even in the South African Premier League. For me, this is nothing new and I was just confident when I stepped up to the ball. I watched the Nigerian goalkeeper, his positioning and the way he prepared his wall, and took a decision where to place the ball. The connection was perfect and you know it when everything else works to perfection, the co-ordination and the flight of the ball … you know that feeling? That's what happened that day and I was so pleased.
TK: It was not the first time that we'd seen you score a free kick like that one, you also did it against Itumeleng Khune back in 2018 for Polokwane City.
WM: It's something that I would like to believe as a player I have been blessed with. I cannot explain it because it's something that's within me. As players, we have different capabilities. I think that's something within me. I've got power and the technique to shoot, so I think I have to continue training and practicing and, who knows, I will probably go on to score more goals. I remember a similar free kick I scored against Itumeleng Khune for Polokwane City and I also scored (past) Daniel Akpeyi from similar range.
TK: So you reckon if the match against the Super Eagles was played in Harare, Zimbabwe could have won?
WM: I cannot say with certainly that we could have won against Nigeria, but if we played them in Harare, I think we were going to push ourselves more in front of our supporters, knowing that we are representing the country. Also, with the expected support from our home fans in Zimbabwe, I think we were going to do much better than the 1-1 World Cup qualifier draw in Kigali.
TK: How much has the 18-month FIFA suspension affected football in Zimbabwe?
WM: It was so difficult. Those months we were just playing league games, but deep down we knew that even if you won the league championship or the FA Cup that qualifies you to participate in pan-African club competitions within CAF, you were not able to participate. That can be discouraging and demotivating, you know. But I thank God that whatever needed to be fixed was fixed to ensure that FIFA lifted the suspension. We are now back within the family hood of football-playing nations and want to make the most of it.
TK: What did your big brother, Knowledge Musona, tell you after the game against Nigeria?
WM: At the end of the game, when I opened my mobile phone I saw a message from him, congratulating me. He even asked how did I manage to score that goal? I told him that it's my daily bread and butter stuff, it was not my first time to score from long range. I even teased him and told him that one of these days when we get together I would teach him how to score free kicks from long range.
TK: Ha, ha, ha, nice one. Does he sometimes call you and give you advice and tips on how to succeed?
WM: Every time when I am going to play, we talk on the phone and he is someone that has always been there for me, always encouraging me to work harder and do much better than the previous game. He tells me that as a footballer, you are only as good as your last game. He demands an improvement in every game that I play. But generally, we talk a lot and share a lot of things as siblings. In the end, I feel blessed to have Knowledge Musona as a sibling who has been down this path before and I can always draw on his experience for advice.
TK: Now that the Warriors are back in international football, has your brother hinted at reconsidering returning to international football?
WM: We have discussed this matter several times and personally, I have implored him to consider returning to the national team, but truth be told, I don't think he will come back. I think he has done exceptionally well for himself and for the national team and it's time for him to rest and time for new faces to take over the baton and race with it.
TK: What do you think of Bafana Bafana being in the same group with you guys for the World Cup qualifiers?
WM: We can't wait to play South Africa! In the game, I think no one has got an advantage over the other. I think we are evenly matched largely because we know how they play and I think they also know how we play, and they additionally know our players as much as we know their players. It's going to be an exciting match because of the neighbourly rivalry as well, which I believe will add an extra competitive edge to it.
TK: Walter, so much was expected of you in South Africa, but you never really seemed to realise your true potential. What happened?
WM: When I came to South Africa, I tried my best. I tried to push myself when I arrived at Polokwane, but you know sometimes in football you need a little bit of luck to go where you feel you belong. But we just put everything to God and maybe He's got much more better plans ahead for me. I just have to keep pushing and putting 100 percent effort every time I enter the field and maybe one day some foreign clubs will come knocking to ask for my services.
TK: How did the Aces Academy mould your development?
WM: If Aces Academy was not there, I would not be where I am today. They took me from primary school right up to Grade 7 and were there for me when I started secondary school. I started concentrating more on football. They gave me everything I needed … football boots, training kit, food. They took care of me when I was about 11 or 12 years and they trained and developed me. Aces is in my heart and I will never forget what they have done for me. Sometimes you just need to know what you want in life, no matter who you are.
TK: You joined FK Senica early in your career, but came back after six months…
WM: I went to Senica in the Slovak League and things were not ok. I tried to come back home due to the treatment that I got that side, which was not good. Maybe it was because I was still too young… I don't know. I ended up giving up and told them I wanted to come back to Zimbabwe to start afresh, then I came back to FC Platinum. I played there for one season and then Polokwane City came for me.
TK: Do you think your brother's reputation hung over your own career?
WM: From Platinum, I came to Polokwane and I was there for almost four years. When they were relegated, I decided to move from Polokwane to Sekhukhune (United), but things there were not ok. Then I decided to go back to FC Platinum and the reception was simply overwhelming. I signed a two-year contract and the first year, 2022, was the year that I was voted the best player in Zimbabwe. Last season, 2023, was my second year with Platinum and we finished fourth. So, my contract is up and I want to thank everyone who gave me an opportunity to play, from Polokwane, Sekhukhune. They've always treated me well and I cannot complain.
TK: You still have not told us whether the shadow of your famous brother looms large over your shoulders?
WM: Look, I would like to believe that I am my own man and my brother Knowledge has carved a niche for himself. What he has achieved in football is phenomenal. But it's human nature for people to compare siblings just like people would usually compare a son to his father. But I still believe that I have my own qualities and Knowledge has his own and we are two different players and people should judge me on that perspective.
TK: What happened at Polokwane that forced you to return to Platinum?
WM: I moved from Polokwane City because we didn't agree on certain things and thankfully they were very professional when we could not reach agreement and gave me my clearance certificate.
TK: Lastly, what are your strengths as a player?
WM: I think I'm a flexible player. I can dribble, I can score with my head, from long range, I take free kicks and penalties, sometimes as a player you are a defender and attacker. I can also mark, but most of the time, like 75%, I can attack and the other percentage is my ability to track back and assist in defending. That's Walter Musona in a nutshell.
WALTER MUSONA FACT FILE
Full name: Walter Tatenda Musona
Date of birth: 12 December 1995
Place of birth: Norton, Zimbabwe
Position: Striker-cum-winger
Jersey number: 10
Club: FC Platinum (Zimbabwe)
Previous clubs: Aces Academy, Motor Action FC, FC Platinum (all Zimbabwe), FK Senika (Slovakia), Polokwane City, Sekhukhune United
Honours: Zimbabwe national U17, U20, U23 and senior national team representation
