Town midfielder thrilled to be back with Zimbabwe for AFCON qualifiers

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Nakamba readies himself for Namibia matches

Luton midfielder Marvelous Nakamba was thrilled to make his return to the Zimbabwe squad in a bid to help them qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with this weeks’ double-header against Namibia.

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The 30-year-old has won 26 caps for his country since making his debut back in March 2015, although missed out on around 18 months of international action after his country were banned from playing in February 2022 for government interference in the sport, something that is outlawed by FIFA. It meant they weren’t allowed to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, so will be doubly determined to qualify for a tournament held in Morocco that they have reached five times previously, although never made it out of the group stages.

When the suspension was lifted Nakamba and the Warriors returned with World Cup qualifying draws against Rwanda and Nigeria in November 2023, only for the Hwange-born former Aston Villa and Club Brugge player to come off injured in the latter match. Back with Luton, he then picked up a serious knee injury a month later which ended his season, ruling him out of the Warriors’ last six matches.

Marvelous Nakamba is back with the Zimbabwe national team this week - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media ImagesMarvelous Nakamba is back with the Zimbabwe national team this week - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Images
Marvelous Nakamba is back with the Zimbabwe national team this week - pic: David Horn / PRiME Media Images

It meant he was absent as Zimbabwe began their qualifying campaign for next year’s AFCON with goalless draws against both Kenya and Cameroon, but having played five times for the Hatters this term, on meeting up with his team-mates and new manager Michael Nees, who has previously coached Rwanda and was South Africa's director of coaching, then speaking to the Bulawayo News, he said: “I'm delighted to be back in the national team. Everyone is pushing each other in the camp, everyone is giving everything to fight for the badge and the country.

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"We have some new young players coming in. They are very good, and we, as senior players, are helping them settle in. We are a group, we are family, and it's good to see the youngsters stepping up. The coach is very engaged with the players, pushing everyone to give their best. He likes to play possession football and we are following his instructions closely.”

Zimbabwe are still in with a shout of qualifying as having picked up two points from their opening two games, they are third in Group J, just two points adrift of the top two sides. With both the Warriors and Namibia banned from hosting international matches on home soil as the Brave Warriors’ Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek was deemed unfit to do so by the Confederation of African Football, the two teams have settled on playing each other at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The first game will be behind closed doors as Namibian authorities don’t have the funds to meet costs required for stadium security, but on his side’s chances, Nakamba added: “We always give our best to try and get positive results in every game. The first two games were tough, but we are now focused on the upcoming two games against Namibia. The fans should keep supporting the boys. We need them and as a unit, we have a chance to achieve something positive."

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