Munetsi: Photo Credit: Wolves FC.
In making his debut for Wanderers FC in an FA Cup fourth-round match against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, midfielder Marshall Munetsi became the sixth Zimbabwean to grace the gloried Premier League fields.
The Warriors vice-captain came on as a second-half substitute for Wolves as they tore apart Rovers 2-0, joining an elite league of Zimbabweans to feature for Premier League teams.
The 28-year-old midfielder joined the ranks of Peter Ndlovu, Bruce Grobbelaar, Benjani Mwaruwari, Marvelous Nakamba and Jordan Zemura. Pan-Africa Football looks at the brief history of the other Zimbabweans in the Premier League.
Tawanda Chirewa
The winger should have been enjoying Shona company at Wolves with Munetsi but left for yet another loan spell this time at Huddersfield Town after returning recently from another loan at another Championship club, Derby County.
Jordan Zemura
The England-born defender seemed headed for big things at Bournemouth in the Premier League in 2018. However, things did not work out as expected for the left-back who is now on the books of Udinese in Italy’s Serie A.
Marvelous Nakamba
The technically gifted defensive midfielder arrived at Aston Villa three seasons ago after working his way in the leagues of Europe in countries such as Belgium and France, proof of the 31-year-old’s persistence and hard work. Injuries slowed down his career in England where he now plays for Championship side Luton City.
Benjani Mwaruwari
The towering striker arrived in Europe from unfancied Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, signing for FC Grasshoppers in Switzerland in 2001 before being snapped up by AJ Auxerre in France a year later.
His direct powerful playing style caught the attention of Portsmouth in the Premier League who signed the gap-toothed Zimbabwean who eventually found his way to Sunderland and then fancied Manchester City.
He wound up his career in Europe with yet another spell at Portsmouth then Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland then Portsmouth again. Chippa United and Bidvest Wits were the 46-year-old last final clubs back in South Africa.
Bruce Grobbelaar
Grobbelaar signed for Liverpool as a fringe goalkeeper only for the exit of first-choice Ray Clemence to Tottenham Hotspur to afford the Zimbabwean giant a chance to stake his claim.
Between 1981 and 1994, he established himself as a great shot-stopper with stupendous reflexes and more notably his antics between the sticks and eccentric behaviour which thrilled and stunned fans in equal measure.
Peter Ndlovu
The forward blazed the trail when he signed for Coventry City on August 22, 1992, effectively becoming the first African to play for a Premier League team. He spent five successful seasons with Coventry, banging in 38 goals in 137 games.
The Bulawayo-born star went on to play for Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town before winding down his career at Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa where he eventually retired. The 51-year-old serves as Sundowns' team manager.
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