Marshall Munetsi Reveals How Aspiring African Players Are Being Tricked by Fake Agents

Marshall Munetsi Warns Young African Players About Fake Football Agents

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, Marshall Munetsi, has issued a stern warning to young African players hoping to play in Europe.

Drawing from over seven years of experience on the continent — first with Stade de Reims in France and now in England — Munetsi cautioned aspiring footballers to be wary of scam artists posing as agents.

Speaking with Joe Hart on the latest episode of Footballers Unfiltered on the FIFPRO website, Munetsi highlighted the growing problem of so-called “fake agents” targeting talented young players.

“It’s more than a crisis [in Africa],” Munetsi said. “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.”

Scams Leaving Players Stranded

Munetsi shared personal anecdotes of players who fell victim to these scams.

“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.”

His experience underscores how easily young talents can be exploited by unscrupulous individuals promising opportunities abroad.

A Call for Vigilance

Munetsi’s warning comes at a time when European clubs continue to scout Africa for emerging talent. He urged players and their families to thoroughly vet agents, avoid paying upfront fees, and seek advice from official football associations or established professionals before making decisions that could impact their careers.

“Players need to be smart, do their research, and understand that not everyone who claims to be an agent is genuine,” Munetsi added.