BY JAKE BAYLISS
Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba has taken the latest steps in a major project as he looks to give something back to his home city of Bulawayo.
The Zimbabwe international endured a frustrating season at Villa Park.
After establishing himself as a key part of Steven Gerrard’s side towards the end of 2021, the 28-year-old suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the side until April, ending the campaign with 19 appearances in all competitions.
However, Nakamba has enjoyed meaningful success, off-the-pitch.
The Villa midfielder started the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation in March 2020, which has been involved in projects that have helped improve facilities at Hwange hospital, provided food programmes for school children, as well as equipment to deal with the covid-19 pandemic.
The Villa man has now taken the next step to provide Bulawayo with a new sports facility that will be used by local children.
Work began clearing the 5.1 hectare site, where the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation facility will provide a variety of football pitches, tennis courts, volleyball court, basketball court and swimming pool.
“Credit goes to the City of Bulawayo for the support and encouragement that has led us to this precious moment,” Nakamba said.
“It has always been my dream to have a state-of-the-art facility that our youngsters will enjoy using; something that we didn’t grow up having.
“It’s high time we give back to the community.”
The Marvelous Nakamba Foundation is also scheduled to hold an U17 football tournament in Bulawayo later this month.
In April 2021, he helped pay school fees for 1 000 pupils across Zimbabwe, with the foundation aiming to reach over one million students by 2025.
Nakamba began his football career with local club Bantu Rovers as a teenager, before joining French side Nancy, aged 18.
Spells at Dutch club Vitesse and Belgian side Club Brugge followed before he was signed by Villa in 2019, where he has made a total 68 appearances so far. – BirminghamLive