Since a youngster in Zimbabwe, Marshall Munetsi has used his Black sporting idols as a guide and influence to shape his career.
In a short period of time in Wolverhampton – less than a year in fact – the 29-year-old has quickly grown into an important figure in the dressing room. Always available for advice for young people, Munetsi provides a wise head, one with measured and thought-out opinions.
To mark Black History Month, Sky Sports searched for personalities within the Premier League to share their stories on key career moments, sporting idols, challenges within the game and advice for youngsters. Munetsi was happy to take the responsibility on behalf of his club.
This year’s theme of standing firm in power and pride veered questions towards Black sporting heroes. For Munetsi, Yaya Toure – a fellow midfielder – stands out, as does compatriot Peter Ndlovu. Further afield, there’s eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and the greatest boxer of all time Muhammad Ali.
In all four cases, it’s their success they’re known for – overcoming the challenges they faced, not being defined by them, according to Munetsi.
He said: “It's not about how you start, it's about how you finish and how you enjoy the journey to build character, to bring you success. You also see our life journeys, our struggles. It's very important for young people to look at those good examples and take some key lessons from them.
“Young people these days think that sometimes things are just given to you, but they also have to understand that things are earned. I used to hear about Yaya Toure playing in Ivory Coast without football boots, but then look at how he finished his career.
“These people have been a key part of my life as a person, and also how I've tried to shape myself. They shaped the way for us as Black athletes.”
Two weeks ago, Munetsi was captaining Zimbabwe against South Africa and Lesotho and come January will be leading his nation at the Africa Cup of Nations – his second appearance at the finals – and despite his success in Europe, and now the Premier League, the honour of representing the Warriors is never lost on the proud African.
“When I was called up for the Zimbabwe senior team, at that time I was quite young, still in school, and getting the opportunity to represent your country at the highest stage for us, especially as kids, I think that really made me as a young boy and also as a player.
“You gain a lot of confidence knowing that you are representing your country, but also you have been selected in a country that has about 17 million people. So, I think that really made me and gave me a lot of confidence and character as a player and as a person.
“Coming back to the international stage and leading the guys in qualifying for the next campaign in Morocco was something that I could have never imagined as a young kid, but those dreams really do come true.
“Generally, as Black players, we tend to come from a very long journey, especially for me, as a Zimbabwean, we remember the first African player was from Zimbabwe. As a Black person coming to the highest level of football, you know generally that it's going to be very tough.
“I remember Zimbabwe qualified for our first Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 and the whole country was watching the game, because at the time we only had one channel. At club level you have different talents, but I think players generally have more emotions when they play for their national team, on the global stage.”
Black History Month 2025 provides a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.
Part of the celebration highlights the contributions made by Black people and for Munetsi, when giving advice to young people hoping to follow his journey, his message is simple but strong.
“The first thing for me is discipline. Discipline builds character and character builds a work ethic. For them, it’s just to believe in themselves, to listen as much as they talk, to learn from their elders, and always try to do that, even when no one is seeing it – I think this is the most important thing.
“These days, a lot of young players are growing up in a social media world, so there's constant pressure to succeed, but you have to understand that your life is different to somebody else. You always have your own race to run; take your time, learn as much as you can and work hard. Life is all about how you finish, it's not about how you start.
“This month [Black History Month] we dedicate it to a lot of people who have suffered from racism and are still OK. It's about educating people and to give one key word that I've always been told by my parent’s love – love for everybody.”
