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‘It was frustrating’; Marvellous Nakamba speaks on return from long lay off

Published

3 years ago

April 25, 2022

BY PATRICK ROWE

Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba made his return to action yesterday after being sidelined for four months with a knee injury.

Nakamba, 28, had quickly become a favourite for Steven Gerrard upon his arrival as head coach at the club and started the first five games for the new boss, after he succeeded Dean Smith in November.

He operated as the anchor ahead of the back four and, whilst doing so, helped Villa secure impressive victories against Brighton,and Leicester City.

The Zimbabwean international then suffered a severe knee injury in the fixture against Liverpool on the 11th of December, which then required surgery to solve the issue.

The midfielder was out for a total of 17 weeks before making his return to the matchday squad against Tottenham Hotspur, and has since gone on to return to action as a late substitute versus Leicester City on Saturday.

Speaking to Villa TV, Nakamba commented on returning from his injury where he issued the following statement: “It was good to be back again with the boys, and I was happy to be back again on the pitch. I’m very positive about it.

We got a point with a clean sheet away from home, and I think we will now look up to the next match [Norwich City].

“We did well collectively as a group, and we just need to push ourselves and keep believing like the gaffer [Gerrard] is telling everyone. He is pushing everyone together as a team.

“First of all, it was frustrating to be injured and to be watching, but I was supporting the boys, I was there supporting them at the home games and a few away games, and I was also involved with everyone in the dressing room.

“I have felt the support of the last four months, while I was injured, everyone from inside the club, players, technical staff, everyone inside.

“We just have to push ourselves to keep believing and also to focus game by game.

“It’s Norwich next game at home with the fans behind us, we just need to stick together as a group and also with the fans that are believing in the players and supporting the players.

“We just have to keep on pushing ourselves.

“I was very pleased to be back and see the fans supporting us all the way from the start until the end.

“It’s good, and I think they always push every player like every time, whether we play home or away, the Villans are always loud.” – Birmingham Mail

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National

Zimbabwe roads claim 24 lives over Heroes holiday

Published

3 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A total of 24 people lost their lives on Zimbabwe’s roads during the 2025 Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The police reported 196 road traffic accidents, 13 of which were fatal, between August 11 and 13. This represents a significant increase from the previous year’s figures, which saw 149 accidents and eight fatalities.

Reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding, and overtaking errors were cited as major causes of the accidents.

Two major accidents occurred during the period, including a fatal crash on the Mutare-Masvingo Road that claimed the lives of six Zion Christian Church congregants. Another accident on the Bindura-Shamva Road resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.

The police have urged motorists to prioritize vehicle maintenance, avoid speeding and reckless overtaking, and adhere to road rules and regulations to prevent further loss of life.

In the community

Dete teen convicted for theft

Published

12 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A Dete teenager has been convicted of breaking into a local shop and stealing goods and cash worth US$131.

Artwell Ncube, 18, of Lupote in Dete, was found guilty of aggravated unlawful entry by the Hwange Magistrates Court.

According to court records, Ncube used an unknown object to open the locked shop door between May 20 and 25, 2025. Once inside, he stole groceries, airtime, and US$50 in cash.

The shop owner unexpectedly returned to the premises on May 25 at midnight and found Ncube inside. The teenager fled, leaving some stolen items behind.

A subsequent police investigation led to Ncube’s arrest. Property worth US$31 was recovered.

Ncube was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, which was fully suspended on condition that he repays ZWG3 516.04 to the complainant within six months and performs 110 hours of community service at Lupote Clinic which he started on Wednesday.

In the community

Nightclub nightmare: Nkayi woman stabs man in brutal attack

Published

23 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 29-year-old Nkayi woman has escaped jail time after being convicted of assault for stabbing a man with a broken beer bottle during a violent altercation at a nightclub.

The incident occurred end of last month, at around 11 pm, when the victim, a 26-year-old man from Cowdray Park, was playing snooker with a friend.

The offender’s aunt caught the attention of the victim’s friend, provoking the offender, who struck the victim on the arm with an empty beer bottle.

The victim attempted to flee, but the offender pursued him, stabbing him once in the back with a broken beer bottle. The victim was left unconscious and rushed to Nkayi District Hospital, where he remains under medical care.

The Nkayi Magistrates’ Court sentenced the offender to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspending three months for five years on condition of good behavior.

The remaining 12 months were wholly suspended on the condition she performs 420 hours of community service.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe has urged people to resolve disputes peacefully, emphasizing that violence has no place in communities.