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Marvelous Nakamba: The ‘exceptional’ unsung hero who could save Aston Villa millions

Published

4 years ago

July 30, 2021

BY PATRICK ROWE

BIRMINGHAM – The affable Marvelous Nakamba is so often the unsung hero who’s set to feature more prominently for Aston Villa this season.

With Douglas Luiz set for a break after his Olympic Games involvement, it’s Dean Smith who will will assess the possibility of Zimbabwean Nakamba stepping up in his absence.

This idea that Nakamba will see increased minutes in the near future has been reinforced through pre-season. The 27-year-old has started in both of the pre-season friendlies so far against Walsall and Stoke City which, again, suggests that the Villa coaching staff are keen to see how he has developed over the summer.

In a dull performance at the bet365 Stadium against Stoke on Saturday, Nakamba was one of the few positives to take from it as he looked increasingly confident on the ball as well as displaying his usual tenacity defensively.

It may only be pre-season, but it is promising to know that his confidence could snowball going into the season after games like this

It is integral Nakamba does in fact carry this form into the beginning of the season knowing he could well be vital in midfield in the opening games against Watford, Newcastle United, Brentford and Chelsea.

Given Villa’s four-game winning start last season a positive start can set the tone for the entire campaign.

A proportion of the fanbase, though, are keen for Villa to invest in a new defensive midfielder with rumours circulating regarding Southampton’s Oriol Romeu and FC Metz’s Pape Matar Sarr.

It poses a question, then; should Villa invest in this position knowing there are questions regarding Nakamba’s ability on the ball? Or should he be trusted to start the season as Smith’s first option?

The graphic, pictured above, outlines why fans and even the coaching staff may be doubtful regarding the Hwange born star’s reliability in the Villa midfield.

There are no doubts regarding the Zimbabwe international’s defensive ability but, as the graphic shows, a lack of composure and ability on the ball could hinder Villa this season.

The statistics were taken from comparing him to his positional peers within the Premier League in the 2020/21 season and, amongst these players, he was in the top ten percent in; defensive pressures, successful pressures, blocks and stopping players dribbling past him – as well as ranking high in tackles and clearances.

Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips is regularly praised for his defensive work rate and non-stop running.

He averages 23.6 pressures per game compared to Nakamba who averages 25.

Nakamba’s work rate is uncommon and wouldn’t be out of place in Marco Bielsa’s side.

Running figures that compete with Leeds United are somewhat of an anomaly in Villa’s squad and should be valued highly.

An issue fans highlighted with Douglas Luiz was although he ran, he saw little to no results stemming from this.

Luiz averages 20 pressures per game for Villa, but with just five of these pressures leading to the opposition losing possession.

There were rarely results for this running. He possesses the work rate but lacks the ability to apply a press effectively.

Nakamba operates on a much more efficient basis. With 7.5 successful pressures a game, he is in the top 10% of midfielders in the Premier League for forcing errors following his ability to apply a press.

This is one of the many weapons in his defensive arsenal that make him so problematic for attackers in this league.

His defensive IQ and ability to read opponents is clearly of a high degree. As well as the extraordinary level of pressures, he also averages 2.7 tackles, 2.5 blocks, two clearances and, for the season, was dribbled past less than once a game (0.72).

He does everything Smith could want defensively, and more.

Another statistic that highlights his ability to read the game is the number of fouls he commits.

Nakamba averages just one foul a game, whereas Luiz averages more than double at 2.2.

The frequency of Luiz’s fouls may show his poor positioning and judgement of the game in this position. These fouls have also cost Villa in vital situations such as the penalties conceded against Manchester United.

Nakamba’s ability to involve himself defensively whilst also staying out of trouble in terms of fouls is extremely useful and he should be applauded for his judgement and timing.

His outstanding defensive ability should surely be enough for him to secure this starting position for Villa?

Sadly, this is not the case with the issues as to why are outlined here; Nakamba can be perfectly represented by his performance away against Tottenham Hotspur last season.

Although he was solid defensively recording three tackles with a 100% success rate, 26 pressures and two interceptions, he was caught on the ball for Spurs’ first goal after being robbed of possession by Steven Bergwijn.

This is where issues arise for Nakamba. When you ask him to operate as the modern-day holding midfielder, its Villa who want him to be a calming influence on the ball who is able to not only break up play, but progress the team forward.

As the aforementioned graphic outlines, his ability on the ball is a weakness of his and is the main issue holding him back from becoming a trusted starter for Villa.

He averages just 28 passes completed per game compared to Luiz at around 38. As the Spurs goal emphasises, he also struggles under pressure.

With just 6.7 passes under pressure being made a game. Compared to more comfortable players in midfield such as James Ward-Prowse at around 8.3 passes under pressure a game.

Being uncomfortable under pressure, especially in midfield could lead to costly error for Villa.

The incident at Spurs was a clear example of this. It is also well known that Nakamba is strongly left footed.

He averages just 3.8 passes attempted with his right foot, which is in the bottom 4% of Premier League midfielders.

This lack of balance in midfield stagnates attacks for Villa. Also, whilst Nakamba attempts to readjust himself to use his left foot, it only increases the likelihood that he may get caught in possession.

However, the biggest stat from the lot is this one; in the six games Nakamba played 80+ minutes last season, Villa recorded 5 wins and 1 draw, with four clean sheets to boot.

His display against Chelsea in the last game of the season was also exceptional, leading the team with 31 pressures as well as recording eight blocks. He was an undeniable force defensively.

Nakamba will be able to come in and produce for Villa.

However, whether he can develop his passing ability and secure this position for the foreseeable future remains to be seen.

It will be interesting to see now whether or not Villa invest in a defensive midfielder before the transfer window ends.- Birmingham Mail

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

In the community

Human-wildlife conflict claims 18 lives in Zimbabwe’s first quarter

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported a disturbing trend of human-wildlife conflict in the country’s first quarter of 2025. According to the authority, 18 people have lost their lives, and 32 others have been injured in encounters with wildlife.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo revealed that the authority received 579 cases of human-wildlife conflict, which they managed to respond to promptly. The incidents have also resulted in significant livestock losses, with at least 53 cattle and 85 goats killed by wildlife.

The districts most affected by these incidents include Binga, Hwange, Kariba, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, and Mbire. ZimParks has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about wildlife behaviors and effective preventive measures in these areas.

In response to the crisis, ZimParks has translocated 129 animals back into protected areas and eliminated 158 animals deemed problematic.

“We encourage communities to continue reporting incidents to ZimParks Problem Animal Control numbers and local leadership, such as Councillors, Traditional Leaders, and Rural District Council Authorities, to ensure that we preserve lives,” Farawo urged.

The significant increase in livestock losses, with cattle deaths rising from 18 to 53 and goat deaths from 21 to 85 compared to the same period in 2024, highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe.

ZimParks’ efforts to mitigate the conflict include community initiatives to educate people on managing wildlife encounters effectively.

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Tens of Thousands in Zimbabwe Go Hungry as the Rains — and US Aid — Hold Back

Published

2 weeks ago

April 4, 2025

VicFallsLive

Tanayeishe Musau eats baobab porridge after school at his home in Mudzi, Zimbabwe, where the dish has become a daily staple amid worsening drought and hunger. Once a simple supplement, baobab porridge is now a primary meal for families like his, following widespread food shortages and the suspension of international aid.

BY LINDA MUJURU

This story was originally published by Global Press Journal.

Agnes Tauzeni stands on her parched field. She is a mother to two children, and is expecting another. But now, in a time that might otherwise have been joyful, her hopes wither like the struggling crops before her.

Three times she’s gambled on the rains; three times the sky has betrayed her. Her first two plantings failed. The soil was too dry to sustain life. Though her third attempt yielded a few weak shoots, they offered little promise of a meaningful harvest. El Niño-driven droughts have disrupted once-reliable rains, leaving Tauzeni’s family and many like hers struggling to feed themselves.

“I am always hungry,” Tauzeni says.

She worries about the health of her unborn child, based on how little nutrition she consumes herself.

Adding to this, food aid, previously funded by the US Agency for International Development, halted suddenly in January. That transformed what was already a struggle into a desperate battle for survival.

The food aid ended when US President Donald Trump, on his first day in office, issued an executive order that paused nearly all US foreign aid, most of which was administered by USAID. That agency is now all but defunct.

Food aid in Zimbabwe was an ongoing area of funding for USAID. In November 2024, the agency announced $130 million for two seven-year programs, implemented by CARE and Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, that would provide food aid and other related support to areas of Zimbabwe most in need. The programs, which stopped, were just part of an ongoing slate of activities designed to help Zimbabwe’s neediest people.

About 7.6 million people in Zimbabwe — nearly half the country’s population — need humanitarian assistance, according to a 2025 UNICEF report. Of those, nearly 6 million, like Tauzeni, rely on subsistence farming.

Through the support of organizations with funding from USAID, people previously received cereals, edible seeds, oil and food vouchers.

“A sudden withdrawal can put the entire community in a dire situation,” says Hilton Mbozi, a seed systems and climate change expert.

Tauzeni recalls that her community used to receive food supplies such as beans, cooking oil and peanut butter to help combat malnutrition.

When Tauzeni got married in 2017, her fields promised abundance. Her harvests were plentiful, and her family never lacked food. Now, those memories feel like whispers from another world. The past two agricultural seasons, those harvests have been devastatingly poor.

With an empty granary and dwindling options, Tauzeni’s family survives on the same food every day: baobab porridge in the morning and sadza with wild okra in the evening. But Tauzeniworries whether even this will be on the table in the coming months.

“The little maize I have, I got after weeding someone else’s crops, but that won’t take us far,” she says.

Tauzeni says a 20-kilogram (44-pound) bag of maize costs US$13 in her village, an amount out of reach for her. Her only source of income is farming. When that fails, she has no money at all.

Hunger like Tauzeni experiences is widespread. Some families now eat just once a day.

Headman David Musau, leader of Musau village where Tauzenilives, says some people in his village did not plant any seeds this season, fearing losses due to the low rainfall. The government provides food aid inconsistently, usually 7 kilograms (15 pounds) of wheat per person for three months.

“It’s not enough, but it helps,” he says.

But without any other food aid, survival is at stake, he says. “People will die in the near future.”