Sport | Football
Musa Mguni warns rivals
Zimbabwean Musa Mguni has warned rivals that his best is yet to come in the brand-new UAE Football League (UFL).
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:41 October 3, 2008
- Image Credit: Karl Jeffs/Gulf News
- After spending four successful seasons with Omonia Lefkosia in Cyprus, the tall Zimbabwean national team striker surprised all by signing for the UAE defending league champions this season.
Dubai: Zimbabwean Musa Mguni has warned rivals that his best is yet to come in the brand-new UAE Football League (UFL).
The lanky Mguni, who signed for defending champions Al Shabab at the beginning of this season, found the back of the net for the first time in his team's 4-2 loss to Sharjah last week.
"I haven't picked up my form as yet," Mguni told Gulf News after going through a rigorous late night training session at the Al Shabab Club ground on Monday.
"But I am playing well and the understanding between me and my teammates is also growing with each passing day. I am used to a different system of play and the majority of players here are used to a different style. But it won't be long before we understand each other perfectly," Mguni said.
After spending four successful seasons with Omonia Lefkosia in Cyprus, the tall Zimbabwean national team striker surprised all by signing for the UAE defending league champions this season. And in his 66 appearances for the Cypriot club, Mguni scored 28 times.
"That belongs to the past," Mguni said.
"The present moment is more important than what I achieved before in my career," he said.
Though he was slow to take off the blocks, Mguni refuses to believe that his scoring prowess is the only thing that matters.
"What is the use if I try and score and my team loses the game?"
Adapt
Consequently, teamwork figures prominently in his vocabulary.
"Maybe it is sometimes better for me to create the chances for my teammates," said the 25-year-old.
And indeed the start has been slow with his new club for Mguni as he did not score in his team's first two matches - the Super Cup against Al Ahli and then in their league opener at home against Al Shaab.
"Two games and no goals? No problems," he said.
"But what is more important is the three points after every match," he said.
Asked if he was looking forward to his second goal, Mguni was amused to say the least.
"Yes, I am looking forward to the second and the third and the fourth and the fifth...but these ought to be wins for my team," he said.
"I am happy I am getting the chances to scores goals for my team. But it is really not that important when you consider that we have to get the three points by winning, and not by me scoring the goals," Mguni said.
After starting his professional playing career with home side Motor Action Harare, Mguni moved to South Africa for a season each with Hellenic FC and then the famed Orlando Pirates. In 2004, he went off to Cyprus and joined Omonia Lefkosia where he spent a fruitful four seasons.
"This league is tough, but it is only a matter of time and I will adjust and adapt to the style of play here."
"After that the best of me will come," Mguni promised.
Al Shabab takes on visiting Al Dhafrah in the third week of the UFL later on Friday.
Name: Musa Mguni
Nationality: Zimababwe
Date of birth: April 8, 1983
Position: Striker
Played for: Zimbabwe (from 2002 to 2004)
Clubs: 2001-2003: Motor Action Harare (Zimbabwe)
2003-04: Hellenic FC (South Africa)
2004-05: Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
2005-2008: Omonia Lefkosia (Cyprus)
2008: Signed for Al Shabab, Dubai
Mguni refuses to believe that his scoring prowess is the only thing that matters.
More from Football
More from Sport
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice
-
Iran favourites to win Futsal crown
Japan have shown potential to challenge defending champions
-
UAE coach in pledge to improve fitness
Fitness will be a key area of improvement for UAE rugby coach
-
Champions and owner party all night
Shah Rukh Khan and Kolkata Knight Riders players celebrated in dressing room, hotel
