Never-say-die attitude key to Munetsi making dream a reality
MARSHALL Munetsi is living proof that perseverance is the key to success. Whereas many a player would have been broken, the Zimbabwean international stuck it out when his Orlando Pirates career failed to take off.
Thanks to his staying power, Munetsi has now realised the dream nursed by many an African player – a playing contract in Europe.
The Zimbabwean used the Buccaneers as a springboard to Ligue 1 where he will turn up for Stade Reims. His journey to French football was tough. He didn’t always have it his way at Pirates. The 23-year-old signed for Pirates from the National First Division (NFD) in 2016, but only had his breakthrough season two years later after being sent on loan at Baroka FC.
“It was challenging,” Munetsi said. “When I signed, I went on loan and then when I came back, I spent the first six months without playing. And then they had to convert me to play at the back. It was very difficult for me, I don’t want to lie. It was stressful at times. But you have to adjust to a different position and be flexible as a player. I am glad that it worked out.”
Munetsi was moved from central midfield to centreback at Pirates due to the competition for places in midfield. He held his own at the back even though his national team continued to use him in midfield, where he has been playing for the Warriors in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
“It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I pushed through to get to where I am now as a player,” Munetsi said. “I am very glad about the progress that I have made. The negotiations were ongoing when the season finished. It was just a matter of me having patience and focusing on the national team. I am just glad that Orlando Pirates released me and gave me the opportunity to achieve my dream.
“Reims said they started to look at me when I signed for Pirates. They were monitoring my progress. They followed me when I was at Baroka and then I came back.”
Munetsi was full of praise for the Buccaneers’ technical team that transformed him as a player, helping the Zimbabwean to take his game to the next level where he will compete with global superstars like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
“This is a great achievement,” Munetsi said. “I just have to keep on working hard. As a young player you just have to hope for the best. There is a coach who can come and give you a platform to play and there is a coach who can come and then take you out on loan.
“I am just grateful for coach Micho (Milutin Sredojevic) and coach Rhulani (Mokwena) for giving me the opportunity to play and have faith in me. They helped me with my career.”
Munetsi will be the sixth player to ply his trade on another continent in the 23-man Zimbabwe squad selected for Afcon. His move abroad is part of a growing list of Zimbabweans moving to Europe.
“We have guys who have made it in Europe and there are guys who are encouraging us to work harder. You know, tournaments like the Afcon can change your career. There are a lot of scouts who are here from England, Portugal and France. It’s only a matter of time for us to realise our dreams, we just have to apply ourselves and hopefully you can get a huge contract.”