Pirates defender Marshall Munetsi linked with Belgian move

Orlando Pirates defender Marshall Munetsi is currently being scouted by a Belgian top division outfit, according to reports.

The 22-year-old featured frequietly for the Buccaneers towards the end of the 2018/19 campaign, enough to draw attention from from clubs around the world.

The latest of these is Zulte-Waregem, who finished 11th in the Jupiler Pro League, Belgium’s top flight.

According to the reports, the deal is nearing completion, just as the player is set to travel with Zimbabwe’s national team to the 2019 Afcon tournament in Egypt.

A source quoted by News Day, a Zimbabwean publication, revealed that the club has sought to better offers that have been put on the table by rivals for his signature.

“Zulte-Waregem has started negotiations and Munetsi’s agent will meet wit g Orlando Pirates today (Friday) to discuss the deal,” the source is quoted as saying.

Munetsi joined Pirates from local first division outfit Ubuntu Cape Town in 2016, and had loan spells at Baroka before breaking into the Soweto giant’s first team.

Since making his first-team debut, he has made 37 appearances for the Buccaneers, as well as feature six times for Zimbabwe.

Munetsi was previously linked with a move to Major League Soccer outfit Colombus Crew and, more recently, French Ligue One outfit Stade de Reims.

According to Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, the clubb is set to announce its transfer movements on Tuesday, 11 June, with a few players also expected to be unveiled.

The rumoured acquisitions include Maritzburg United duo Fortune Makaringe and Siphesihle Ndlovu, while the likes of Gladwin Shitolo and Linda Mntambo are expected to be shown the door.