The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
TWO months after relocating from Zvishavane to Bulawayo, football seems to be the only thing 21-year old Nigel Makumbe understands in the City of Kings and Queens.
Off the pitch, the attacking midfielder has found the going a bit tough as he struggles with the language barrier.
“I have settled in as well as can be expected but I still encounter problems with the language barrier,” said Makumbe.
“I am learning the language fast though and that is all thanks to my long-time friend (Adrian) Silla who I have known since childhood.
“I remain confident that all will be well soon as the kind of welcome I have received here is good.
“I will soon be speaking Ndebele fluently,” said the 21-year-old.
Luckily for Makumbe, on the pitch, his football skills has done most of the talking and the results have seen Bosso head coach Madinda Ndlovu sing his praises.
“Nigel is a talented young man but if you look at his body you would think he can be intimidated by the big bodies of the opponents.
“However, I can safely say he is one boy who doesn’t look at the size of the opponents.
“He can take on any defender, and is a pure talent,” said Ndlovu
The Aces-Academy groomed player is on a one year loan deal from FC Platinum and has had an impressive start to the 2018 season for Bosso.
After three games, Makumbe has contributed to all the teams’ four goals since the start of the season.
“I am happy with my performance so far this season, but what matters most, to me, is to make Highlanders win as many games as possible.
“And as long I get enough game time, expect more from me,” he said.
“I made my debut for FC Platinum back in 2015, but had limited game time; something I felt was not good enough for my career and so I asked if I could go on loan.
“Highlanders suited my play very well and so I decided to take their offer,” Makumbe.
An admirer of one of the longest serving Premier league players Clement Matawu, Makumbe hopes to follow in the footsteps of the 36 –year old Chicken Inn midfielder.
“I like his style of play and admire how he has been consistent throughout the years.
“If I manage to be consistent as he is, then my dream of playing in Europe will come true sooner rather than later,” said Makumbe.
After losing to Dynamos (1-2) on February 25 during the ZNA Charity Shield, Makumbe believes his side will be on a revenge mission when they take on Dynamos in a Castle lager Premier League match at the Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
“We have not been reading much into the game but it always hurts to lose to Dynamos but I believe this time it is going to be tougher, because it’s a league match and we cannot allow ourselves to lose to them back to back.
“We have to win by all means,” said Makumbe.
