Football fanatics in Zimbabwe would not be blamed for having relished the prospects of the match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Merseyside outfit Everton, for the simple reason that one of their own would probably be in the starting line up of the West Midlands side in Wolves.
The football circles in Zimbabwe and in the West Midlands in England have been buzzing with prospects following the signing of Marshal Munetsi on deadline day of the January window by English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers form the French Ligue 1.
Ever since he made his league debut against table toppers Liverpool, and coming close to scoring were it not for Allison’s head meeting with the goal bound strike, a debut goal has been knocking for the Zimbabwe international.
With Wolverhampton Wanderers above the 3 most likely Championship bound sides, every encounter has had to produce a positive result to stay as safe as possible from the murky waters of relegation, and the first interval could not have started any worse as Everton found the back of the net in the 33rd minute through Harrison.
Wolves showed tenacity as they kept pressing for the all important equalizer before the half time whistle blew.
It did not take long for Wolves to give a reply as in the 40th minute after good interplay from the back right into the Toffees’ box, Zimbabwe international Marshal Munetsi shrugged off a challenge from an Everton player to put the ball past Jordan Pickford from a low cross by teammate Bellegarde.
The elation from Munetsi was telling and the firm embrace from Bellegarde spoke volumes of the somewhat relief that all had, that finally he was off the mark to a rapturous reception from the Wolves faithful at Molineux.
It had been a long time coming and finally the debut goal came for the Zimbabwe international with a piece of history as well, becoming the first player from Zimbabwe to score in the English Premier League in 14 years since former Warriors skipper the Undertaker Benjani Mwaruwari.
Who could forget the first to do so though, in the first African player to play and score in the English Premier League, the great Peter Ndlovu. And Munetsi is surely not being intimidated but rather is being inspired by such greats who made history and paved the way .
The guys on commentary you would bet they were Wolverhampton fans judging by the elation and praise they had for Munetsi following his 40th minute equalizer, and it just goes to show how every genuine football person was happy for a player who has been hard working and giving his all for the team.
The match would finish at 1 all with Munetsi’s all important equalizer rescuing a point for Wolves against an Everton side that has been on a good run ever since the 2nd coming of David Moyes at Goodison Park as the Toffees gaffer.
In a post match interview Munetsi could not hide his joy emphasizing focus is on the next game with his coach expressing his delight as well in the player he has showed great confidence in, also allaying fears of what many had thought to be an injury forced substitution at half time, with the gaffer saying it was only precaution otherwise the midfield workhorse from Zimbabwe is in good physical shape.
Coach Vitor Pereira has to be commended for the faith and confidence he he has shown in Munetsi and it is such that brings out the best from players, talk about Mourinho with Drogba, Essesien, Klopp and his Liverpool players.
