Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER spending seven months away from national team duty, Warriors vice captain Marshall Munetsi is looking forward to rekindling his romance with the senior national football team during the Four-nation Unity Cup in England.
Munetsi divided opinion after he was apparently frozen out of the Warriors and subsequently missing the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco last December following a fallout with previous coach Marian Mario Marinica.
The Paris FC midfielder was in high spirits after joining his teammates in Birmingham in preparation for the four-team tournament that also features Nigeria, Jamaica and India.
“It feels good, obviously. It’s been quite a while, and I think I’m also happy to see my brothers, my friends, my teammates,” he told the ZIFA media in the sidelines of the training.
“And, I think we all have a go now as we have some important games coming up. I’m looking forward to the games and I’m looking forward to representing my country as always.”
Munetsi last played for Zimbabwe in October last year when the Warriors slumped to a shock 0-1 defeat to Lesotho in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The 29-year-old has been enjoying good form since he was sent to Paris FC on loan after struggling at English Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Munetsi is also excited by the progress the Warriors have made in his absence.
“We have some new young guys coming in; some fresh faces and I think it’s a good opportunity for us to get to know each other,” he said.
Zimbabwe open their campaign in the Unity Cup against defending champions Nigeria on Tuesday while India and Jamaica clash in the other semi-final.
The team is guaranteed at least two games as winners will proceed to the finals while the losing semi-finalists meet in a third-place play-off.
Zimbabwe are also using the tournament as part of the preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers beginning in September.
“Obviously, these two games are important but what we’re looking for is also to prepare for the African qualifiers that are coming up.
“So, I think it’s just nurturing the talent and assisting wherever we can, because I think I’m one of the senior guys in the team.
“It’s good to know the young faces.
“You know, you always watch most of them playing here in Europe, and I think it’s also a good opportunity to get to know each other very well.
“The most important thing is for them to showcase their talent.
“There will be a lot of team scouts that are coming in to look at how Zimbabwe is performing. Because some of us are playing here they want to see how we’re performing as a country.”
Munetsi also urged the Young Turks in the Warriors squad to seize the opportunity and possibly attract the eyes of the European scouts.
“For me, it’s just to tell them that this is a good opportunity for them to showcase their talent you never know who’s watching in the terraces.
“We have some big games coming up, we have Nigeria first and I think everyone will be looking forward to that game,” said Munetsi.
