dyton mupawaenda
Langton Nyakwenda
WARRIORS skipper Marvelous Nakamba is on the road to full recovery and is hoping to play a more prominent role when Zimbabwe play Kenya in a decisive Group J African Cup of Nations qualifier.
It has tentatively been set for Peter Mokaba in Polokwane on November 15.
Nakamba has been battling a knee injury which forced him out of the Warriors’ 3-1 victory against Namibia at the Orlando Stadium on October 14.
Luton Town coach Rob Edwards has a special recovery plan for the combative midfielder who has now played a combined 54 minutes for the Hatters since returning from international duty.
The 30-year-old Nakamba played 32 minutes when he came on as a second half substitute in Luton Town’s 3-0 win against Watford at Kenilworth Road on October 19.
He was an unused substitute when Luton lost 2-1 at home against Sunderland on October 23.
Nakamba was then brought on in the 58th minute when the Hatters surrendered a 2-0 lead and ended up losing 2-3 against Coventry last Saturday.
A source close to Nakamba told Zimpapers Sports that the former Aston Villa man was recovering well.
“The boy is doing well, he says he is almost back to full fitness,” said the source.
“He is actually pushing so that he can be at full throttle when Zimbabwe play Kenya in South Africa.
“Remember this will be a decisive match and as the skipper he feels he has to be there to help his nation qualify for the AFCON finals.”
Zimbabwe are second in Group J with eight points and two behind log leaders Cameroon going into the final two qualifiers.
The Warriors will qualify for the AFCON finals in Morocco next year if they get at least a point against Kenya who currently have four points.
The match venue is yet to be decided but ZIFA hinted yesterday that they were pushing to host the game at Peter Mokaba in Polokwane, South Africa.
“We are waiting for confirmation from the Confederation of African Football but we want to go for Polokwane,” said ZIFA chief executive Yvonne Manwa.
“Of course we have to move with pace in terms of confirming everything but it all hinges on CAF. If we do not get the greenlight on Polokwane then we might as well go back to Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.”
Online Reporter