Munetsi’s move to French club is well deserved: Pirate’s Chikoya

Former Orlando Pirates and Zimbabwean legend Innocent Chikoya has reacted to the transfer of his fellow countryman Marshall Munetsi who was sold by the Buccaneers to French Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims earlier this week.

Chikoya says Munetsi’s move is well deserved and is also a reward for the sterling work he’s put in at Pirates since his arrival from the former National First Division (NFD) side FC Cape Town three years ago.

The Zim Warriors utility player had been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with teams from Turkey and Belgium said to be tracking him but the move to France took everyone by surprise.

Chikoya says it couldn’t have happened to a better player.

Pirates has now sold two players to the French Ligue 1 in a space of six months after they had also concluded Lyle Foster’s five-year deal with AS Monaco in January.

This is a good piece of business by the Buccaneers and Chikoya who won the league title with Bucs in 2003, says this is typical of Dr Irvin Khoza’s led club.

The 22 year-old central midfielder, who is also comfortable at centre-back for his club, played a total of four CAF Champions League matches for his club and starred in five AFCON qualifiers for the Warriors.

Chikoya, who also played in continental competitions with Manning Rangers and Pirates, says this counted as a big deal.

Munetsi is one of 13 South African based players in the Zim Warriors squad going to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament that kicks-off next week.

When you add the likes of Knowledge Musona, Nyasha Mushekwi and others, the number rises to 16 when adding players who have played here in the PSL.

Chikoya says players from the other side of the Beit Bridge must continue to use the PSL as a springboard to Europe. – Report by Velile Mnyandu