Wolves star Munetsi hurt to miss Zimbabwe’s AFCON selection

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ midfielder Marshall Munetsi says he is hurt to miss out on selection into Zimbabwe’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, insisting his injury is not as severe as portrayed.

The Premier League star suffered a calf injury during an encounter against Nottingham Forest last week and, subsequently, he missed Monday’s meeting with Manchester United.

Little wonder, Munetsi’s name was conspicuously missing when Zimbabwe coach Mario Marinica released his final squad on Thursday.

In a reaction, the Wolves player insisted that his injury is not as severe as suggested.

“This one hurt as representing the Warriors has always been a dream, and wearing our colours is the greatest honour of my career. AFCON would have even been more significant,” the former Orlando Pirates man wrote on his Facebook page.

Why Munetsi is worried

The Warriors holding midfielder added that the Zimbabwe Football Association did not attempt to get an update on his injury before the squad was released.

“I had an injury recently, but my club, Wolves, communicated with the association that I was recovering well and even offered medical support to ensure that I could participate at the AFCON. Unfortunately, I received no follow-up communication, and decisions were made without clarity—speculation which wasn’t the case,” the player explained.

“While I’m hurt, my unwavering support for the national team remains strong. I respect the coach’s decisions and stand behind the boys wholeheartedly. I will always be ready to defend the nation I love.”

Wolves manager Rob Edwards had suggested that Munetsi might be out for weeks due to the injury.

“It’ll be weeks, I don’t know how many at the moment, but I think at the moment it’s looking like at least six weeks, I think,” Edwards told Wolves media.

Apart from Munetsi, Udinese FC’s defender Jordan Zemura did not earn selection into the Zimbabwe squad due to an injury.