Marshal Munetsi has been ruled out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals due to injury.
Munetsi will be sidelined for 10 weeks and it means he will not be able to recover in time for the tournament which starts in the second week of January 2022.
The Mabvuku-born midfielder sustained the injury on Wednesday when his Stade Reims side beat Lyon in the French premiership.
Munetsi, who lasted only 45 minutes of the match before he was injured, was devastated but vowed to rally behind his compatriots. He said:
It’s a sad feeling, obviously, having prepared and worked hard, to be playing in such big tournaments, and representing my country.
And, it’s also difficult to be missing out on playing for my club, and it’s some sad news for me, as it’s the first time, in my career, l have had such an injury.
It’s a huge blow, personally for me, as l had made some huge strides in developing as a player.
The Warriors are in Group B with Senegal, Guinea and Malawi.