Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi provides injury update after AFCON heartbreak

Marshall Munetsi’s injury against Crystal Palace has had a knock-on effect for the personal ambitions of the midfielder.

The Zimbabwean international had played a big role in qualifying his nation for this year’s edition of AFCON, but the calf injury he sustained has meant he was excluded from his country’s squad.

As the vice-captain of Zimbabwe, it would have been a huge honour for the midfielder to represent his nation in Africa’s premier international tournament.

He was not the only Wolves man excluded, with Tolu Arokodare dropped from Nigeria’s squad.

However, in Munetsi’s case, he believes the reason for the Zimbabwean manager removing him from the AFCON roster does not make much sense, as he delivers an update on his injury.

Marshall Munetsi believes he would have recovered in time for AFCON

Marshall Munetsi is no doubt heartbroken after he was not selected for Zimbabwe’s AFCON squad. On the surface, it is a decision that makes sense, considering the midfielder is injured.

However, in an update on the status of his health, the Wolves man has downplayed the seriousness of it.

And he has suggested he would have been fit to feature in AFCON.

Munetsi stated via local Zimbabwean outlet, The Herald, “My club didn’t tell me I couldn’t play in the group stage; they just said the first match would be risky. It’s nothing serious, and I’m not in any pain; it’s just the club trying to be cautious.”

• READ MORE: Every Wolves player who has won the African Cup of Nations

The 29-year-old believes the true reason for his exclusion is simply down to the arrival of new head coach Marian Marinica. The Wolves player said, “I don’t think this is about football anymore… The national team doesn’t want me.”

Since being appointed back in November, Munetsi has yet to play under Marinica for Zimbabwe. During the last international break, in which Marinica took charge, Wolves requested for Munetsi to stay in England.

Additionally, the player confirmed via social media that the Wanderers were insistent that they would offer support to ensure he could feature for his nation.

Zimbabwe FA insist Wolves could not guarantee Munetsi would be fit

Following Munetsi’s social media post, the president of the Zimbabwean FA explained the reason for excluding the Wolves player was due to his club not sending a waiver allowing him to join his national team.

President Nqobile Magwizi said, “After this engagement we then asked Munetsi to get a waiver, but that communication never came. In as much as we would love to have him in the team, we cannot take the risk because this comes with responsibilities.

“If a player is injured while on national duty, the association is obligated to meet all expenses and salaries until he recovers. Zifa has no capacity to do that; hence, we are bound by the contracts between us and the clubs.”

Munetsi’s statement and the Zimbabwean FA’s statement contradict each other, and after his efforts to secure Zimbabwe’s place in AFCON, you have to feel for the Wolves man.