Warriors star Marshall Munetsi made a winning return from a lengthy injury setback after starring in Stade de Reims shock 2-1 win away at Olympique Lyon’s Groupama Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Munetsi has been sidelined for the last eight weeks after picking a serious hamstring injury during Zimbabwe’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana in Cape Coast on October 9.
The hamstring injury ruled him out of the remainder of the qualifiers, where the Warriors were still to play Ghana in the return fixture before winding up the campaign against South Africa and Ethiopia.
The 25 year-old box-to-box midfielder also missed the last six matches for Stade de Reims.
Munetsi marked his return with an appearance from the bench at the start of the second half and played an important role as Reims’ scored an injury time winner in the 2-1 victory against Lyon.
He was introduced in the 46th minute for Guinea-Bissau international Moreto Cassama. Munetsi’s recovery is a big boost for the Warriors ahead of the rescheduled 2021 AFCON finals to be held in Cameroon next month.
After marking his return Munetsi will be aiming to recapture the form which saw him being rated as one of the top performers in the French Ligue 1.
Statistics released by the French Ligue 1 last month rated the Zimbabwe international midfielder as the player who had covered the most distance this season after the first nine matches.
The indefatigable box-to-box midfielder has been enjoying an incredible season at Stade de Reims with main highlight of his season thus far coming in September when he kept a tight leash on PSG’s Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
While Munetsi played a crucial role in his team’s victory, fellow countryman and Lyon striker, Tino Kadewere continues to play second fiddle at Lyon as he was an unused substitute in the game.
Kadewere has struggled for game time this season due to injury problems and poor form when he given an opportunity.