Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in FRANCISTOWN, Botswana
WARRIORS captain Marvelous Nakamba said he could have quit the national team after his calamitous mistake at the AFCON FINALS in Morocco.
But he decided to apologise to the nation.
The Sheffield Wednesday man turned on an outstanding show that reminded Zimbabwe of the times when he was at his peak.
Nakamba held the squad together tremendously, bossing the midfield with a fine performance which inspired the Warriors to a 3-0 win against Botswana in the Four Nations tournament semi-final at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Saturday night.
He never put a foot wrong playing as a shield to coach Mario Marinica’s three-man defence of Gerald Takwara, Teenage Hadebe and Munashe Garananga who was replaced by Isheanesu Mauchi in the first half after suffering a knock on his knee.
Nakamba’s chemistry with Germany-based Jonah Fabisch kept the team together, enabling Marinica’s philosophy which is anchored on swiftness, to blossom.
He was the Nakamba of old, the one who illuminated the scene during his days at English Premier League side Aston Villa.
He was the Nakamba who had fans mobbing around him to have selfies with at the sound of the final whistle.
Significantly, he was involved in every process that resulted in each of the goals that Zimbabwe fired past the hapless Zebras, who had their full squad on the pitch.
“Firstly, I am humbled by the amount of support that I continue to receive from Zimbabweans physically and online,” said Nakamba.
“I wanted to quit after that mistake in Morocco. I wanted to quit because I knew I had failed my country Zimbabwe that always comes first for me.
“I wanted to quit because I knew I had betrayed my people, the people that have a special place in my heart.
“These are the people who always supported me even after a dark day during my time at Aston Villa.
“And these are the people who crossed my mind and I said to myself ‘no, I needed to continue serving and give huge performances for them.’”
He added:
“I am happy after leading my team to this 3-0 win. It’s for Zimbabwe, it’s for the fans.
“I think we need to wrap this one up for the country.
“It was a good match against Botswana and we shouldn’t let our guard down.
“Zambia has a group of impressive youngsters and we know they will be eyeing to stop us in the final.
“Our country deserves to smile. And, for now, we should just pull this one off and get those smiles on their faces while we prepare for what’s coming like the AFCON qualifiers.”
While he hasn’t really been playing at Sheffield Wednesday following his transfer from Luton Town, Nakamba has also drawn interest in Belgium and Turkey.
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