Robson Sharuko
Metros Editor
MARSHALL Munetsi has scored more goals in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers than THIRTY other countries.
The Zimbabwean midfield powerhouse has been the outstanding player for the Warriors in the first two matches of the qualifiers for a place at the PAMOJA AFCON finals.
Munetsi missed the last AFCON finals, after he was controversially ruled out by coach Mario Marinica, and only returned to action during these qualifiers.
He has been playing like a man desperate to make up for the time he was not in the team with standout performances against Sierra Leona and the DRC.
He scored twice, in dragging the Warriors from a two-goal deficit to force a 3-2 win in Morocco, including the winner.
He also scored the only goal for the Warriors in their 1-2 defeat at home to DRC at the National Sports Stadium on Monday night.
It marked the first time the DRC, who featured at the last World Cup in the United States, have won a competitive match in Zimbabwe.
Munetsi has three goals, from two qualifiers, becoming the first Warrior to score three goals, in back-to-back matches, in the AFCON qualifiers.
To understand how impressive that is, there is need for some context.
Munetsi has scored more goals than THIRTY African countries in the current qualifiers.
All the teams have played two games in the qualifiers.
Munetsi has scored more goals than Nigeria, Gabon, Ghana, Malawi, Angola, Kenya, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Libya, Togo, Senegal, Liberia and a Cape Verde side which captured the imagination at the last World Cup.
Munetsi has scored as many goals, as an individual, as Zambia, Tunisia and Benin, who have scored three goals.
Only these nations – South Africa, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Botswana, Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Mauritania and the DRC – have scored more goals than Munetsi.
2027 AFCON Qualifiers Leading Scorers
3 goals
Burundi Jean Claude Girumugisha
Burundi Bienvenue Kanakimana
Eritrea Ali Sulieman
The Gambia Ebrima Colley
Zimbabwe Marshall Munetsi
2 goals
Benin Rodolfo Aloko
Botswana Tumisang Orebonye
Burundi Abdoul Karim Mpawenimana
Democratic Republic of the Congo Yoane Wissa
Egypt Omar Marmoush
Ethiopia Abel Yalew
The Gambia Muhammed Badamosi
Guinea-Bissau Mama Baldé
Guinea-Bissau Franculino Djú
Lesotho Sera Motebang
Mali Dorgeles Nene
Mali Ange Martial Tia
Mauritania Aboubakary Koita
Mozambique Chamito
South Africa Relebohile Mofokeng
Tunisia Hazem Mastouri
