Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi was the toast of Wednesday night after scoring the only goal that French side Stade Reims needed to beat Ajaccio in a Ligue match.
The 26-year-old scored in the third minute from an Emanuel Agbadou assist before Stade Reims gallantly defended the solitary goal to collect the maximum points.
This was Munetsi’s third goal of the season, having been one of the regulars in William Still’s team.
The goal came at a time he is celebrating his appointment to the highly regarded FIFPro’s Global Player Council.
The Zimbabwean joins 34 other international players, including the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Andre Ayew of Ghana, Lucy Bronze of England, Simon Mignolet of Belgium, and Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson who are in the player’s council.
MUNETSI SHINING IN FRANCE
Following the appointment, Munetsi took to Facebook to express gratitude and celebrate the milestone.
Munetsi said: “Being a part of the Global Player Council means we can help footballers worldwide–such as protecting players against fake agents or against government interference. I’m eager to get started.”
According to FIFPro standards, Munetsi earned the appointment because he demonstrated leadership qualities good enough to help improve the players’ welfare.
Munetsi will make contributions that help ensure that the grievances of footballers are heard in the higher football offices.
The former Baroka anchor-man has enjoyed life in the French league, where he has established himself as the team’s midfield mainstay.
He joined Stade Reims from Orlando Pirates in 2019 on a free transfer, a move that has also helped ensure he remains highly rated at national team level in Zimbabwe.
The Harare-born footballer has also been leading calls for Zimbabwean football authorities, the Sports and Recreation Commission [SRC] and the Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA], to bury the hatchet as the country is currently under FIFA suspension.
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