Zimbabwean Marvelous Nakamba makes marvelous Luton FC gain

Luton FC’s Zimbabwe midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba, has benefitted from his return to action for the Warriors in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

After missing games due to an injury, the 31-year-old earned his place in the national team squad despite not featuring for the English League One team this season.

The results did not particularly go in the way of Michael Nees’ side. They lost the Group C games by 1-0 margins to Benin and Rwanda.

However, Nakamba has benefitted from the sweat he broke for the Warriors, as Luton coach Matt Bloomfield was watching him.

The English’s team manager had sidelined Nakamba from pre-season games and the subsequent League One assignments.

It was understood that the Zimbabwean was on his way out of Luton after attracting interest from Premier League teams.

However, after watching the midfielder pulling the midfield strings for Zimbabwe, Bloomfield has had a change of heart, according to Luton Today newspaper of the UK.

Bloomfield has now confirmed that Nakamba, who was relegated to train with Luton’s under-21 side, will be available for selection.

The midfielder played for 74 minutes for Zimbabwe in Benin for his 30th cap last Friday at the Stade de l’Amitié.

“He’s managed to get himself through 90 minutes for Zimbabwe so he’s a lot closer than what he was before which is great,” the coach is quoted saying.

“He was really keen to go on international duty, we’ve had some good competition in that midfield area but a fit and ready Marvelous Nakamba is obviously a plus for us as well, so he’ll come back into the group.

“We’ll welcome him back and look forward to seeing him, although competition for places is fierce in the middle of the pitch. I think George (Saville) has done particularly well, Clicker (Jordan Clark) is evergreen, Zack’s (Nelson) done great the last couple of games, we’ve got Lamine (Fanne) as well and Walshy (Liam Walsh), so competition is fierce but Marv comes back into the thinking.

The Warriors skipper signed for Luton permanently in 2023 from Aston Villa.

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