How Marshall Munetsi has improved since leaving Orlando Pirates
Marshall Munetsi might have been a fringe player at Orlando Pirates, but the Zimbabwean has risen to be the midfield engine at French side Stade Reims.
The 26-year-old spent two years in Orlando Pirates’ books, where he was deployed as a right back by the then-head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević.
Munetsi gradually rose in South African football since his breakthrough into FC Cape Town in 2015.
He signed for Pirates ahead of the 2016/17 season but was subsequently shipped out to Baroka FC on loan.
At Baroka, the Friendly Academy graduate was convincing in his performances, and the Buccaneers recalled him before the season ended.
WHY MUNETSI WAS BELOW PAR AT PIRATES
Sadly, he never got to enjoy playing in his favorite central midfield position as he was consistently deployed to play as a right back or in central defense.
However at Stade Reims, Munetsi has proved to be a utility midfield enforcer reliable in any midfield position, although mainly being deployed as the defensive midfielder.
He has been so good that even English Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion attempted to lure him, but Stade Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot blocked them.
Caillot told the England club that Munetsi is ‘untransferrable’ having already extended the latters contract upto 2026.
IMPRESSIVE STATISTICS
Last season, Munetsi was so impressive notably on ball interceptions and defensive duels won in a game.
As a result he was ranked above Frenchman Aurelien Tchouameni who joined Real Madrid from Monaco and Boubacar Kamara formerly with Marseille.
It is his impressive performances that have seen him rise to be one of most highly rated players from the Southern Africa region.
This season, Munetsi has held fort in Stade Reims’ midfield in 17 matches out of the 20 league games that have been played so far. He has also scored three goals for the club.
For Zimbabwe, Munetsi has also been a steady and consistent performer since making his debut in March 2018.
RELATED STORY: Ex-Orlando Pirates star Marshall Munetsi’s impassioned plea