MBABANE – Will former Kaizer Chiefs deadly striker Knowledge ‘Smiling Assassin’ Musona be part of the Scottland FC team to face Nsingizini Hotspurs on Saturday?
The two sides are set to lock horns in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League at the Somhlolo National Stadium. The Zimbabwean champions hold a slender 1-0 advantage following their first-leg victory over Insingizi Yezulu at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Nsingizini Hotspurs Public Relations Officer Sibusiso ‘Mnotfo’ Dlamini stated that they were expecting the team, which he described as the ‘Mamelodi Sundowns’ of Zimbabwe, to arrive in the country on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
According to reports from Zimpapers Sports Hub, Musona has travelled with the Scottland squad, although his availability for the CAF Champions League preliminary round second-leg tie in the country remains in doubt.
The publication reported that the former Warriors captain had missed the first leg at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday due to a hamstring strain.
It was further reported that his absence was felt as Scottland lacked a killer instinct against a Nsingizini Hotspurs side that showed a lot of character to limit the damage despite playing with 10 men for 87 minutes.
Reports indicate that Scottland departed Zimbabwe on Monday for a training camp in South Africa before flying to the country for the decisive battle.
“Musona was included in the travelling squad, with reports suggesting that the club might be gambling on a miracle recovery that could see him feature on Saturday,” reads part of the report.
It was also reported that Coach Norman Mapeza wanted Knowledge in camp because he is a leader who can inspire his teammates to give their all in this decisive match.
According to reports, Mapeza identified improved creativity, attacking balance and psychological readiness as key factors to completing the job.
In statements reported after the previous match, Mapeza acknowledged that his side had wanted to be more creative but that the creativity was lacking, especially in the first half. He noted that they created a few chances before making adjustments during the break that yielded slight improvements in the second half.
He added that playing against a 10-man opponent was usually very difficult because the opposition was fighting for survival, but expressed satisfaction that his team ultimately secured the victory.
Mapeza was also reported to have called for greater attacking balance after observing that much of Scottland’s threat had come from a single flank in the first leg.
The coach reportedly concluded by stating that he expected Nsingizini to adopt a more adventurous approach at home as they attempt to overturn the deficit.
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