Nakamba, the dosage the doctor prescribed at Luto...

Nakamba, the dosage the doctor prescribed at Luton City

Marvelous Nakamba joins Aston Villa Football Club | AVFC — Marvelous Nakamba

Gilbert Munetsi

For Marvelous Nakamba, the adage of “the stone that the builder rejected going on to become the head cornerstone” appropriately fits.

Barely months after having been offloaded by Aston Villa and making Luton Town his new home, the Zimbabwe international has turned hero, contributing significantly to the club’s fine form that has seen it settle at position Number four on the latest log standings.

“The Hatters” are eyeing the second spot which will enable them to engage in play-offs and, possibly, get promotion into the premiership.

In the process that has led to the recent fortunes, the Hwange-raised Zimbabwean has attracted rave reviews from both the technical team and fans, both describing him as “exactly what the doctor prescribed.”

A local publication, Oak Road Hatter, in hailing Nakamba’s exploits on the football pitch has, thus, summarised:

“Luton Town’s bid for promotion from the Championship has been boosted by the presence of Marvelous Nakamba, who has proven to be the missing piece in their pursuit of success. The Zimbabwean midfielder’s impact has been undeniable, with his performances helping the Hatters to secure crucial results on their quest to secure a place in the playoffs and keep a tight chase on Sheffield United in second place.

Nakamba’s statistics, the publication notes, speak volumes about his effectiveness on the pitch on which he has won 53% of his tackles. This is qualified as an impressive figure that shows his strength and discipline in midfield in which position he has also made 10 successful tackles in the game against Watford. Currently, this is a record in the Championship this season.

“In addition, he has a pass completion rate of 76%, which highlights his composure and ability to keep the ball moving in the midfield,” says the Oak Road Hatter.

Further analysis of Nakamba’s abilities were highlighted by Andy Burgess, in Oak Road Hatters’ analytics podcast, Put In The Mixer, where his lateral movement and anticipation is a particular delight discussed at length.

“Nakamba’s impact can be measured not only by his individual statistics but also by the team’s results when he has been in the starting line-up. In the 10 games that he has started, Luton Town have only lost one game. This impressive record is a testament to Nakamba’s influence on the team’s performance, as his presence in midfield has provided stability and balance.

“Furthermore, Nakamba has proven to be a threat around the box as well, having created three chances for his teammates. He demonstrated his passing ability in Luton’s victory over Bristol City, picking out a perfect pass for Cody Drameh to assist Carlton Morris in the game-winning goal. His creativity and ability to create opportunities for his teammates have been invaluable to Luton’s attacking play.

“Nakamba’s presence in midfield has also allowed his teammates to flourish, particularly Cody Drameh and Alfie Doughty, who have been given the freedom to press high up the wings where they are most effective. This has created a more dynamic and unpredictable attacking threat for Luton, as Nakamba’s defensive contributions have given his teammates more license to push forward.”

He said Nakamba’s work ethic and dedication have made him an instant fan favourite at Luton Town. His willingness to put in the hard yards and do the dirty work for the team has, meanwhile, earned him admiration and respect from both fans and pundits alike, which is even more remarkable considering how much football he has missed out on prior to making the move to Kenilworth Road.

“As Luton Town continues their push for promotion, Marvelous Nakamba will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in their success. His defensive solidity, passing ability, and attacking threat have been crucial to the team’s fortunes, and his impact has been evident in the team’s results. With Nakamba in the midfield, I firmly believe Luton Town will achieve their goals of securing promotion to the Premier League, whether it is via the playoffs or by overtaking Sheffield United in second place,” noted Burgess.