Munetsi joins Wolves in thrilling deadline-day transfer

IN a thrilling deadline-day transfer, Warriors’ vice-captain Marshal Munetsi joined English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half-year contract, with a 12-month option.

Munetsi (28) expressed his delight at the move, saying: “It’s a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to be part of something big and being part of Wolves is something that is very big for me and is big for my family.”

The holding midfielder, who made 159 appearances for French side Stade de Reims, is eager to take on the challenge of playing in the Premier League.

“I’m very excited. It will probably be the first time I’ve had a big opportunity to be representing a bigger club. Nothing against Reims, but now you’re going to be playing in the Premier League, playing for Wolves. Also, we have a greater population of Zimbabweans in England and I think I will feel even more at home than in France,” said Munetsi in an interview with Wolves media.

Munetsi’s transfer has drawn comparisons to former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari’s dramatic deadline-day move to Manchester City in 2008.

According to The Sun, the then Pompeys boss Harry Redknapp received a call saying the former Warriors striker hadn’t arrived at Manchester Airport, and it was later claimed he missed two flights and a third had been cancelled.

Seventeen years later, Mwaruwari has revealed what really went down.
“I always have a lot of questions about that. The flight delayed. And my phone, now, I didn’t bring the charger, my phone is dead.

I made the decision, I want to go,” he told The Sun.
Mwaruwari eventually arrived at Manchester City’s training ground at 11.10pm, with barely enough time to complete the deal.

“It was five minutes to 12, everything was just a mess there. The fax machine broke down, so only one or two papers went through and the rest were missing.”

Mwaruwari eventually completed the £3,87 million transfer, which included bonuses that could have taken the deal up to £7,6 million.

He scored his first goal for Manchester City just five days later, securing a win against Manchester United in the Manchester derby.

Meanwhile, Munetsi’s compatriot, Tawanda Chirewa, has been loaned to English League One side Huddersfield Town for the remainder of the season.

Chirewa (21) had made eight Premier League appearances for Wolves since joining from Ipswich in 2023.

Huddersfield Town head coach Michael Duff, welcomed Chirewa.
“Getting in quality additions this late into the transfer window is difficult, so we’re really happy to have Tawanda join our group for the remainder of the season… With a big potential, our job is to help him show the talent we know he has.”

Sporting director Mark Cartwright added: “Tawanda has a unique skillset compared to our existing attacking options, and his flexibility to play anywhere in the final third with comfort was a real appeal to us.” — @FungaiMuderere