Nakamba targets DR Congo return

AS Zimbabwe was preparing for the African Cup of Nations Group G battle away in Congo, one Warrior was biting his nails and cursing his luck as he lay on the surgeon’s table in Spain.

The 24-year-old Marvelous Nakamba, who sustained a knee injury in May with Belgian giants Club Brugge before aggravating it again last month, missed Zimbabwe’s 1-1 draw against Congo at the Alphonse Massamba Debat last Sunday.

Nakamba, who has generated interest amongst a host of European teams — the latest being English top flight side West Ham — saw a specialist surgeon in Spain on September 4 before flying back to his base in Belgium last weekend.

The good news is that the Club Brugge star resumed serious training with the first team early this week and could be in line to feature for the Warriors when they play DR Congo in back-to-back clashes in October.

The general consensus amongst Warriors fans was that Nakamba was the missing link in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw and national team coach Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa would be happy to have the central midfielder for the crucial back-to-back clashes against DR Congo.

Zimbabwe play DR Congo at the Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on Saturday, October 13 before hosting the Congolese the following Tuesday at the National Sports.

“It was sad to miss the game against Congo last weekend; but all the same, the guys did well to earn a good point.

“The good thing is I am now back training with my team, all is well, I am just trying to get back to full fitness pretty fast,” Nakamba told The Sunday Mail Sport.

Chidzambwa partnered Danny “Deco” Phiri and Marshal Munetsi at the base of the Warriors midfield in Congo last Sunday but it was clear Nakamba’s experience and precise passing was glaringly missing.

Nakamba has not featured for Club Brugge since the start of the 2018/2019 Belgian First Division A League in July and also missed the Belgian giants’ 2-1 win over Lokeren last Friday night.

“I was in Spain to see some specialists and the process went well.

“It’s now just a few weeks left before I am 100 percent and good to go,” Nakamba said confidently.

Before the knee injury, Nakamba had grown into a key player for Club Brugge who top the First Division A League with 19 points after seven matches.

Nakamba, who is in his second season with Club Brugge, played 2 724 minutes in 35 appearances for the Belgian champions in his debut season.

He started 31 games, coming in as a substitute in four games, but the Bantu Rovers’ product is yet to score a league goal for Club Brugge.

“I just need to get back to full fitness then see what happens,” Nakamba reckons.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe lead AFCON Group G with four points and enjoy a one-goal superior goal difference over DR Congo who had to come back from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Liberia in Monrovia last Sunday.

Congo Brazzaville and Liberia have a point each going into the third round of fixtures.

After the back-to-back fixtures against DR Congo, the Warriors will travel to Monrovia to face Liberia on November 16 before wrapping the AFCON campaign with a home date against Congo on March 22 next year.

Following the expansion of teams at the 2019 AFCON finals to 24, top two nations from the 12 groups, including hosts Cameroon, will qualify for the continental football jamboree.