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Marshall Munetsi, Zimbabwe, October 2025Backpage
Celine Abrahams

Ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi sounds alarm on fake agents targeting top African players with European dreams

The Zimbabwean international, who has spent over seven years in European football, first with French side Stade de Reims before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this year, has urged young African players to be vigilant. He warned of scammers posing as football agents, who exploit dreams of playing abroad to steal money and leave victims stranded.

  • Marshall Munetsi, Wolverhampton Wanderers, February 2025Getty

    Warning for Africa’s next generation

    Since Marshall Munetsi’s move to the English Premier League, he has made a positive impression at Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite the team's poor start to the 2025/26 season. 

    With many young African talents hoping to follow in his footsteps, Munetsi has stressed the importance of verifying the legitimacy of those claiming to be agents before making any moves.

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  • Idrissa Gana Gueye & Marshall Munetsi, Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton, August 2025Backpagepix

    Munetsi sheds light

    "It's more than a crisis [in Africa]," Munetsi said, speaking to FIFPRO.

    "A person might create a social media account, come to Europe, watch a game, take a picture [with a player], then put that picture on their profile and write they're a football agent.

    "A lot of people then end up paying money to that agent with promises of going to Europe.

    "I had three guys who came to France when I was at Reims asking for accommodation because an agent had promised them some trials in Europe, and then they were just stuck at the airport when they got there, nobody was there.

    "I'm talking about guys who are playing for top teams in Africa that were also scammed. It's a big problem that needs to get real attention," he concluded.

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Lyle Foster and Marshall Munetsi, South Africa vs ZimbabweBackpage

    Measures put in place

    In 2023, FIFPRO Africa joined forces with the Didier Drogba Foundation and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to launch a campaign spotlighting a growing threat: scammers posing as football agents to exploit African talent. 

    A survey of 263 professional players (including both men and women) across seven African nations revealed a sobering truth, nearly one in three had fallen victim to fake agents, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and protection.

  • Marshall Munetsi, Zimbabwe, Lyle Foster, South Africa, October 2025Backpage

    The road ahead

    As a member of FIFPRO’s Global Player Council, Munetsi continues to spotlight the growing threat of fake agents targeting African talent. 

    Furthermore, he will be shifting focus back to club duties at Wolvers as the FIFA World Cup qualifiers concluded with Zimbabwe finishing bottom of Group C, while South Africa topped the table to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.