Zimbabwe Warriors vice-captain Marshall Munetsi made a startling return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday, debuting for Paris FC just 48 hours after completing a loan move from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 29-year-old’s late cameo has reignited controversy around his recent fitness status, coming days after Wolves publicly stated he was still sidelined with a calf injury — the same issue that led to his exclusion from Zimbabwe’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Munetsi was introduced in the 85th minute by Paris FC coach Stéphane Gilli, replacing Ilan Kebbal as the Parisians secured a crucial 2–1 away win over relegation rivals FC Nantes. Despite not having played competitively since early December, the midfielder looked physically sharp in his brief appearance.
His debut appeared to contradict Wolves’ official statement issued on Friday, which read in part:
“Only two of the midfielder’s appearances have been under Rob Edwards, after Munetsi suffered a calf injury which has left him on the sidelines for the last six weeks and saw the Zimbabwean captain miss out on leading his country at the Africa Cup of Nations. As he nears his return from injury, Munetsi will now spend the rest of the current season in France as he heads to Paris FC on loan.”
Munetsi’s fitness has been a subject of intense scrutiny since he limped off against Nottingham Forest in December. While the player maintained he was fit to represent Zimbabwe in Morocco, he was omitted from the AFCON squad — a decision many supporters believe played a role in the Warriors’ early exit.
The sight of the “injured” captain featuring in France has polarised Zimbabwean football circles, with sections of the local media previously questioning his commitment and relationship with the national setup.
Reports now suggest Warriors head coach Marian Marinica, in his post-AFCON technical report, has requested that Munetsi issues an apology over his public comments on his fitness before being reconsidered for selection — a stance understood to be fully backed by ZIFA.
On the club front, the move represents a return to familiar territory for Munetsi, who spent six successful seasons with Stade de Reims before his reported £17 million switch to England. Paris FC are covering his full wages — estimated at around £75,000 per week — for the duration of the loan.
While Munetsi’s immediate focus is helping Paris FC pull clear of the relegation zone, his five-minute debut has ensured that, even as his club career gathers momentum, his relationship with the Warriors remains mired in uncertainty.