Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi has been rewarded for his outstanding season in Ligue 1 and is one of the 11 nominees for the prestigious Marc-Vivien Foe award.
Munetsi, 26, has scored six goals and assisted another three for State Reims this season, helping the club to climb into eighth place on the log.
It is his best personal campaign to date and his fine performances also awakened interest from England in his services.
He was already linked with a move to Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the 2021/22 season, while in January AFC Bournemouth were said to be after his services, with newly-promoted Burnley and Championship side Watford also monitoring the Zimbabwe midfielder.
He’s played in all but four league games this season, and was one of the stars credited for Reims incredible 19-match unbeaten run that saw them climb from 17th into 8th on the log.
As a consequence for his fine showings, Munetsi has made the shortlist for the Marc-Vivien Foe award, which is handed out to the best African player in French football.
However, Munetsi would have to be the likes of Achraf Hakimi and last year’s winner Seko Fofana to the accolade, while Terem Moffi is also in the running after netting 16 goals this season already.
Below are all 11 nominees:
- ABDELHAMID Yunis, defender (Morocco/Reims)
- BALDÉ Mama, forward (Guinea-Bissau/Troyes)
- CAMARA Mohamed, midfielder (Mali/Monaco)
- DIALLO Habib, forward (Senegal/Strasbourg)
- FOFANA Seko, midfielder (Ivory Coast / Lens)
- HAKIMI Achraf, defender (Morocco / PSG)
- MBEMBA Chancel, defender (DR Congo/Marseille)
- MOFFI Terem, forward (Nigeria/Nice)
- MUNETSI Marshall, midfielder (Zimbabwe/Reims)
- SAMED Salis Abdul, midfielder (Ghana/Lens)
- TRAORÉ Hamari, defender (Mali/Rennes)
Munetsi joined Pirates from Baroka in 2017, but left the Buccaneers after just two seasons to complete his move to Reims.
The winner of the award will be announced on 30 May by RFI and France 24.
