Sports / Soccer
Musona is good enough to play in Europe: Peter Ndlovu
08 Feb 2011 at 10:42hrs | Views
PETER NDLOVU believes Zimbabwe international striker Knowledge Musona can walk into many teams in the lucrative leagues of European football.
The Smiling Assassin, as Musona is known by millions of his fans, has been labelled the best football star to emerge in Zimbabwe since Ndlovu exploded on the scene in 1990.
Ndlovu is a close friend of Musona's manager Edzai Kasinauyo and has been playing a crucial role behind the scenes in trying to shape the young striker into a lethal forward good enough to play in Europe.
French club Lille were the first European club to show interest in Musona towards the end of last season and have been monitoring his progress.
The Kaizer Chiefs' hitman recently extended his contract with Amakhosi.
This fuelled speculation that the forward may see out his career in South Africa where clubs, especially Chiefs, have been accused of stalling players' moves.
Ndlovu, who joined Coventry City when he was just 17-years-old, believes Musona is being guided accordingly and will eventually break into the big boys' leagues of Europe.
The former Zimbabwe skipper said Musona and his handlers were right to extend his stay at Chiefs, where he can develop his game further, fully aware that his welfare was secure.
"First of all it is security for the player. And he can still play, say for one year, and go," said Ndlovu.
"There are a lot of things that happen when playing football and you just need that security.
"You will play with peace of mind, delivering on the pitch, scoring those goals and go home satisfied because you know you will be covered.
"There is nothing wrong with extending a contract, and he can still move any time."
Ndlovu, though, believes Musona is good enough to play in Europe right now.
"Yes, I believe he is ready to move abroad and do well. I went there when I was 17 so he can go there and make it," said Ndlovu.
"First we have to protect him. The good players cannot do it alone and you will find at times I am talking to my former clubs and telling them about the young players doing well here.
"I have made mistakes in the past, but I believe the youngsters can copy some good things and leave the bad things and do well in life.
"In my whole life I have never touched beer and drugs, I am not saying people shouldn't drink but I believed I had a role to play for kids."
If there has been a weakness in Ndlovu's life then it has been centred on how he has handled his private life after running into problems in his relationships.
"Success comes with fame and women but when we teach the kids we should teach them to try and not make the mistakes we did," said Ndlovu.
"People have choices to make in life but in my opinion I did what is okay for Peter.
"I knew what I had gone abroad to do and that was football, which is still my job, and will remain my job.
"The youngsters have a choice on what to do. They can take what I have done in terms of football and leave some and have a better balance.
"We have made a lot of mistakes and the youngsters should learn to eliminate the bad things.
"You are born with talent but the other lifestyle you choose."
Musona has already bought a house in Avondale while Zhaimu Jambo bought one in Warren Park and Thomas Sweswe acquired one in Waterfalls and is building another one in Chitungwiza.
Mamelodi Sundowns' hotshot Nyasha Mushekwi also revealed that he was investing wisely from his rich pickings at the Pretoria side. Ndlovu also spoke about his Highfield United.
The former Warriors captain featured for his Division One club in a friendly match against Gunners at Rufaro on Sunday and the veteran showed that he still has the touch.
But he quickly warned that people should not expect too much from him.
"This is not about Peter, but about what I am bringing to the Highfield United project," said Ndlovu.
"I mean, the experience which should go a long way in helping the youngsters, as well as talent identification. If people are looking at me producing wonders then there is a problem. I don't know how people expect a 38-year-old to play the same way he did years ago."
He also revealed he will help the technical team since he has acquired a coaching badge but will certainly not interfere in how the coaches, led by Mike Madzivanyika, guide the team.
The Smiling Assassin, as Musona is known by millions of his fans, has been labelled the best football star to emerge in Zimbabwe since Ndlovu exploded on the scene in 1990.
Ndlovu is a close friend of Musona's manager Edzai Kasinauyo and has been playing a crucial role behind the scenes in trying to shape the young striker into a lethal forward good enough to play in Europe.
French club Lille were the first European club to show interest in Musona towards the end of last season and have been monitoring his progress.
The Kaizer Chiefs' hitman recently extended his contract with Amakhosi.
This fuelled speculation that the forward may see out his career in South Africa where clubs, especially Chiefs, have been accused of stalling players' moves.
Ndlovu, who joined Coventry City when he was just 17-years-old, believes Musona is being guided accordingly and will eventually break into the big boys' leagues of Europe.
The former Zimbabwe skipper said Musona and his handlers were right to extend his stay at Chiefs, where he can develop his game further, fully aware that his welfare was secure.
"First of all it is security for the player. And he can still play, say for one year, and go," said Ndlovu.
"There are a lot of things that happen when playing football and you just need that security.
"You will play with peace of mind, delivering on the pitch, scoring those goals and go home satisfied because you know you will be covered.
"There is nothing wrong with extending a contract, and he can still move any time."
Ndlovu, though, believes Musona is good enough to play in Europe right now.
"Yes, I believe he is ready to move abroad and do well. I went there when I was 17 so he can go there and make it," said Ndlovu.
"First we have to protect him. The good players cannot do it alone and you will find at times I am talking to my former clubs and telling them about the young players doing well here.
"In my whole life I have never touched beer and drugs, I am not saying people shouldn't drink but I believed I had a role to play for kids."
If there has been a weakness in Ndlovu's life then it has been centred on how he has handled his private life after running into problems in his relationships.
"Success comes with fame and women but when we teach the kids we should teach them to try and not make the mistakes we did," said Ndlovu.
"People have choices to make in life but in my opinion I did what is okay for Peter.
"I knew what I had gone abroad to do and that was football, which is still my job, and will remain my job.
"The youngsters have a choice on what to do. They can take what I have done in terms of football and leave some and have a better balance.
"We have made a lot of mistakes and the youngsters should learn to eliminate the bad things.
"You are born with talent but the other lifestyle you choose."
Musona has already bought a house in Avondale while Zhaimu Jambo bought one in Warren Park and Thomas Sweswe acquired one in Waterfalls and is building another one in Chitungwiza.
Mamelodi Sundowns' hotshot Nyasha Mushekwi also revealed that he was investing wisely from his rich pickings at the Pretoria side. Ndlovu also spoke about his Highfield United.
The former Warriors captain featured for his Division One club in a friendly match against Gunners at Rufaro on Sunday and the veteran showed that he still has the touch.
But he quickly warned that people should not expect too much from him.
"This is not about Peter, but about what I am bringing to the Highfield United project," said Ndlovu.
"I mean, the experience which should go a long way in helping the youngsters, as well as talent identification. If people are looking at me producing wonders then there is a problem. I don't know how people expect a 38-year-old to play the same way he did years ago."
He also revealed he will help the technical team since he has acquired a coaching badge but will certainly not interfere in how the coaches, led by Mike Madzivanyika, guide the team.
Source - Byo24NEWS
