With the addition of Zimbabwe international Marshall Munetsi into Vitor Pereira’s squad on transfer deadline day, wolves.co.uk explores what the centre-midfielder will bring to Molineux.
Profile
- Name: Marshall Nyasha Munetsi
- Date of birth: 22nd June 1996
- Position: Defensive midfielder
- Nationality: Zimbabwe
- Previous clubs: Ubuntu Cape Town, Baroka, Orlando Pirates, Reims
- Appearances: 228
- Goals: 24
- Assists: 15
Background
Born in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, Munetsi made the move to senior football when he signed for South African National First Division side Ubuntu Cape Town, stepping out to make his debut in a defeat to Black Leopards on September 2015. His first and only goal for the club helped his side win their derby against Milano United the following April.
Following a season with Baroka, Munetsi joined one of the biggest names in African club football as he signed for another South African side in Orlando Pirates in 2017 – after attending trials with the team two years earlier. After breaking into the team, the 28-year-old went on to feature 37 times in all competitions and earned himself a move to Ligue 1 Reims.
In five-and-a-half seasons in France, Munetsi has turned out 159 times in all competitions for the Red and Whites, after slowly breaking his way into the team as a 21-year-old, while becoming a key part of the team.
In March 2018, during his final season with the Pirates, Munetsi made his international debut for Zimbabwe, as he played the whole 90 minutes against Zambia ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He has since earned 29 caps, scoring one goal.
Munetsi mid-medical 🇿🇼🐺 pic.twitter.com/yeZa6V4aiR
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 4, 2025
Playing style
At six-foot-two, Munetsi is a strong and mobile midfielder who can play across a variety of positions in the centre of the pitch, giving further options to Vitor Pereira’s squad.
During his time at Reims, the 28-year-old has shown a hunger for pressing the opposition from the front as he tries to unsettle the opposition and force a mistake, while also displaying an engine in the centre of the park, with high distance numbers.
In games played as a 10, he has also shown an ability to find the back of the net, be with his left foot, right foot or his head, having averaged around 10 goals and assists a season.
Recruitment
Wolves’ first carried out a scouting report on the midfielder in summer 2019 while he was playing for Zimbabwe, but his move to Reims had already been confirmed at this time.
While at Reims during the first half of this season, Munetsi wore the captain’s armband on several occasions – with his leadership qualities also being another aspect which would have pleased Pereira and the recruitment team.
"Every training session, put me on the same team as Agba!" 😅 pic.twitter.com/tQbNmQoNs6
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 4, 2025
Fitting in at Molineux
Upon his arrival at Wolves, Munetsi will have a familiar face welcoming him in the Old Gold dressing room in the form of his former Reims teammate Emmanuel Agbadou. The pair played together 67 times in France ahead of Agbadou’s move to Molineux earlier in the transfer window.
He is also an international teammate of forward Tawanda Chirewa, who headed to Huddersfield Town on loan on deadline day, playing four times for Zimbabwe together during the last 12 months.
He said of his relationship with the pair: “Obviously, Tawanda messaged me as soon as he saw the news. He was so excited. With Agba, he did the same, because when he first came here [to France], I was the one to welcome him. So, I think now it’s going to be his turn to welcome me. We've been very good friends for the past three years, so I’m also looking forward to that.”
