Slider

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

Published

5 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

Slider

Matabeleland North shines in athletics at national schools competitions

Published

14 hours ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Matabeleland North Province delivered a strong performance in athletics at the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) competitions held in Bindura, scooping five gold medals despite challenges in other disciplines.

The competitions ran last week from 17 to 19, with 16 and 20 set aside for travel.

Speaking after the event, the Matabeleland North NAPH Vice Secretary, Edward Mudimba of Binga, told VicFallsLive that the province sent a delegation of 121 participants drawn from all seven districts.

Of these, 69 competed in track and field, 31 in drama, 16 in physical education, and eight in chess.

Athletics dominates medal haul

Matabeleland North’s strongest showing came in athletics, where the province secured five gold medals and 10 bronze medals.

A standout performer was Ashton Ndlovu of Hwange District’s Chamabondo Primary School, who won three gold medals in the Under-14 boys’ 100m, 200m and 400m races.

Another gold medal came from Mbuewa Sisasenkosi of Dundubala Primary School in Umguza, who won the Under-13 girls’ 800m race.

The fifth gold medal was secured in the Under-13 boys’ 4x100m relay.

Chess team shows promise

In chess, Matabeleland North fielded eight players across Under-8, Under-12 and Under-14 categories.

The province recorded its best results in the Under-8 category, where Philip Ndlovu of Sigonda Primary School in Nkayi won gold, while Prudence from Mathe Primary School in Tsholotsho secured a silver medal.

The results earned the province an overall silver medal and a trophy in the Under-8 category.

“We see a lot of potential in the Under-8 category and we believe we can build on that,” said Mudimba.

Struggles in drummies and physical education

However, the province faced challenges in other disciplines.

The drummies team, finished ninth out of 10 provinces.

Physical education, represented by David Livingstone Primary School in Umguza, also underperformed, finishing seventh.

“We didn’t do very well in drummies and physical education, but these are areas we are still developing and we hope to improve going forward,”Mudimba said.

Call for resources

Mudimba attributed the weaker performance in some categories to limited resources.

“Our main challenge is resources, particularly financial support. We need to improve our preparations and displays, especially in physical education, before we can expect better results,” he said.

Top three overall winners

Harare
Mashonaland Central
Mashonaland West

Slider

Three painted dogs killed along Hwange highway as conservationists raise alarm

Published

15 hours ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Conservationists have raised fresh concern over wildlife safety along the busy Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway after three endangered African wild dog were killed in separate incidents within a week.

In a statement, Painted Dog Conservation confirmed that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were struck and killed by a vehicle overnight within the Hwange landscape.

“We are heartbroken to share that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were killed overnight after being struck by a vehicle along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road,” the organisation said on Saturday.

The group said the pack had been safely escorted across a nearby road earlier, but is believed to have been disturbed by lions during the night, forcing them to move again toward the highway where the accident occurred.

“Despite constant monitoring and intervention, moments like this remind us how fragile their survival can be,” the organisation added.

The deaths bring to three the number of painted dogs killed along the same highway corridor in less than a week, with another animal reportedly struck closer to Victoria Falls.

Conservationists warned that the loss goes beyond individual animals, highlighting the species’ already fragile population.

“It’s not ‘just three dogs’. These three could have become alphas and been responsible for producing over 300 dogs through their offspring and subsequent generations,” the statement read.

Highway poses growing threat to wildlife

The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road, which cuts through key wildlife areas including parts of Hwange National Park, has long been flagged as a danger zone for animals.

The highway is a major tourism and freight route linking Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, carrying heavy traffic volumes that include haulage trucks, buses, and self-drive tourists—many travelling at high speeds, particularly at night.

Wildlife frequently crosses this corridor as it bisects natural habitats and migration routes, bringing animals such as elephants, lions and painted dogs into direct conflict with vehicles.

Conservation groups have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of speed limits, improved signage, and traffic calming measures in wildlife zones, especially at night when visibility is poor and animal movement increases.

Calls for action

Painted Dog Conservation urged motorists to slow down and remain vigilant when driving through wildlife areas.

“We urge all road users to slow down—especially at night—and call on authorities to strengthen and enforce speed reduction measures in wildlife areas. Their survival depends on it.”

The deaths come amid growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in Matabeleland North, where expanding infrastructure and traffic volumes continue to put pressure on endangered species.

In the community

MPs question poor radio, TV coverage in Mat North

Published

15 hours ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Concerns over limited access to national broadcasting services in Matabeleland North Province were raised in Parliament.

MP Discent Bajila of Emakhandeni-Luveve constituency asked the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services:

“To explain why national radio and television coverage remains poor or non-existent in parts of Gokwe North District, Matabeleland North Province, Matabeleland South Province, and nearby districts, and to indicate whether there are any digital signal expansion plans in place before 2026.”

In a separate question, Joseph Bonda for Hwange East Constituency raised concern over weather information gaps in Hwange:

“Why the weather forecast for Hwange is not broadcast, given that it is a resort with municipal status and significant business activities.”

No responses were recorded.