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Marvelous Nakamba

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
A DELIGHTED Netherlands-based Young Warriors’ midfielder Marvelous Nakamba cannot wait for the 2015-16 season so that he rubs shoulders with some of Europe’s top players in the Uefa Europa League.

Nakamba’s Eredivisie side — Netherlands’ topflight league — Vitesse Anhem secured a Europa League place last Sunday after beating Heerenveen 5-2 in the second leg of playoffs.

Vitesse is widely referred to as English Premiership champions Chelsea’s B side as over the past few seasons the club has been the number one destination for the English giants’ loan deals. Brazilian right back Wallace, midfielder Josh McEachran and striker Bertrand Traore are some of the Chelsea players on loan in Anhem.

In the first leg of the final played on Thursday, the two sides drew 2-2 before Vitesse put on a good show on Sunday to qualify on an emphatic 7-4 aggregate win.

Speaking from his Netherlands base, Nakamba, who was introduced late in the game, said he is looking forward to playing against some of Europe’s best clubs.

The 21-year-old joined the Dutch side last year from France’s AS Nancy and made eight substitute appearances. He is happy with the progress that he has made at Vitesse since his arrival in Anhem.

Nakamba played against Chelsea in one of his trial games at Vitesse last year.

By qualifying for the Europa League, the former Bantu Rovers midfielder joins Zimbabwe’s list of elite footballers to play at the tournament, who include legendary goalkeeper Bruce Grobelaar, Kennedy Chihuri, Norman Mapeza, Musa Mguni and Costa Nhamoinesu.

“Playing outside the country in a competitive league is every player’s dream and I’m happy with the way I have developed as a player in the last 12 months. Being part of the Vitesse team that made it to the Europa League make it even sweeter because it’s proof of the hard work I have put in at training,” said Nakamba.

“I sat on the bench for most of the games this season, making a few appearances but the good thing is that I was in the first 18 for better part of the season. It’s not easy to break into the team but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made.”

He remains confident that his time to shine will come.

“The season has just ended so we will be taking a break but I can’t wait to return to the club. My goal is to work even harder and make sure that I make into the Europa League squad. I’m patient and my time to shine will come. I also intend to become a regular at the club,” he said.

The former Njube High schoolboy also expressed his disappointment at failing to be part of the Young Warriors’ Africa games and Olympic qualifying squads.

Young Warriors’ coach Calisto Pasuwa admires Nakamba’s talent and has on countless times spoken about his desire to have the left-footed midfielder, who turned down a three-year deal at AS Nancy, in the national Under-23 camp.

Nakamba said he is available to play for the national teams.

“It’s an honour to represent the country and I will never turn down a national team call-up. Unfortunately, most of these Under-23 matches are played outside the Fifa calendar dates for international competitions and that makes it impossible for me to leave for national duty. For matches that are within the Fifa calendar, I’m available for consideration. The club always releases foreign players when formal requests have been sent,” said Nakamba.