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Innocent Kurira 

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ZIMBABWEAN international midfielder Marvelous Nakamba is expected to play a key role in Luton Town’s quest to gain promotion into the English Premier League via the playoffs. 

Luton finished their Sky Bet Championship campaign in third position and will now travel to Sunderland in the first leg of their semi-final playoff on Saturday. The return leg will be played at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday. The winner of the Sunderland-Luton encounter will face either Middlesbrough or Coventry City who faceoff in the other semi-final.

The playoff final is scheduled for Wembley Stadium on May 27.

Nakamba was rested for the Hatters final league game which ended in a nil all draw against Hull City on Monday evening.  The Zimbabwean has been enjoying his game at Luton since joining them on loan from Aston Villa at the end of January.

Since the arrival of Nakamba at Kenilworth Road, Luton has only lost once, going down 1-0 to Burnley who won the title and direct EPL promotion.

Nakamba has won the trust of manager Rob Edwards.

Winning the playoffs could be Nakamba’s realistic chance of getting back into the Premier League with the Hatters. The Hatters last faced Sunderland in a league game in March with the game ending in a 0-0 draw. In the first leg played last year, the two sides played to a similar score-line. 

Edwards gave his thoughts ahead of the tie against Sunderland. 

“It helps that we recently played with each other. We’d have both taken a look at each other then so we’ll definitely be able to look back on that game as well as some of their recent ones. They’re good at going forward, they are risk-free and will go for it looking to attack. 

“We’re going to have to make sure that we defend really well, do the basics well and then we’re going to have to take the most of any chances that we can. We want to make sure that we’re well in the tie coming back home on Tuesday night,” Edwards was quoted. — @innocentskizoe