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Both Joseph Okumu and his Zimbabwean teammate shared a strong bond at Reims, but Munetsi’s EPL move has now separated them.
On the early morning of Wednesday, February 5, Zimbabwe's biggest newspaper, The Herald, hit the streets of Harare with a bold headline: "Mutensi in a Big-Money Move to the EPL."
For the past two years, Marshall Munetsi and Joseph Okumu have shared more than just the pitch. Their friendship, built over long seasons at Stade Reims, has been defined by mutual respect, shared victories and the dream of making it to the highest levels of European football.
But as the January transfer window closed, their journey together came to an abrupt end.
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Munetsi, Zimbabwe’s vice-captain, made his highly anticipated move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, securing a spot in the English Premier League. Meanwhile, Okumu, the Kenyan international, remains in Ligue 1, still anchoring Reims' defense as he weighs his next career move.
This separation is more than just a professional shift—it marks the first time in years that the two will not share the same dressing room, a change that could reshape both their careers.
The bond between Munetsi and Okumu was forged in France but strengthened even further on the international stage.
In March last year, they found themselves on opposite sides as Kenya faced Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, matches that ended in draws—0-0 in Kampala and 1-1 in the return leg in South Africa. heir camaraderie stood out even when playing against each other, a rare sight in modern football.
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In an interview with club portal, Wolves’ Chairman Jeff Shi highlighted Munetsi’s importance to stating, “Our staff travelled to France to ensure this deal was done on deadline day, as it was important for the club, and we’re pleased to bring an experienced player into the group at an important time of the season. We’re excited to have Marshall on board, and I hope he can help us achieve our aims. He’ll have the full support of all of us at Compton Park and I hope he will have a long and successful time as part of the Wolves family.”
While this move signals a new chapter for Munetsi, it also creates an emotional void for Okumu. The two players spent more than 2o games together at Reims, forming an understanding that transcended tactics.
Off the pitch, they were close friends, often seen together during training sessions, team dinners, and even in their free time.
Losing such a connection in a team environment can be tough, especially for Okumu, who now faces a future without his longtime teammate by his side.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs emphasized the role Munetsi will play at Wolves, saying, “It was important for us that Vitor has a number of options in each position and Marshall is a well-rounded midfielder who is physically up for the challenge of the Premier League.”
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For Okumu, the challenge is not just filling the void left by his teammate but also deciding his own next step.
His performances at Reims have drawn interest from major clubs, including AS Roma, Arsenal, West Ham, and Borussia Dortmund. While Munetsi has taken the leap to the Premier League, Okumu remains at a crossroads. With his contract still active and interest from top European clubs, a move to England or Spain could be on the horizon.
The departure of Munetsi is the second major African exit from Reims this season, following Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Agbadou's £16.6 million transfer to Wolves.
The departures signal a shift at the French club, which now looks to rebuild while its former stars chase their dreams elsewhere.
The story of Munetsi and Okumu is more than just about transfers—it is about friendship, loyalty and ambition. Their bond may have been tested by distance, but football has a way of bringing people back together.
Whether Okumu follows his friend to England or takes a different path, their connection remains a testament to the friendships that football can create. The Premier League may have won Munetsi, but Okumu’s future remains an open book, waiting for the next big move.
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