The 19-year-old Bantu Rovers product signed for French Ligue 1 side, AS Nancy in December. He became one of the youngest players ever to feature in the local premiership, after turning out for Bantu at 16 in 2010. He has also starred for the national Under-20 side.
In an interview with The Zimbabwean, former Young Warriors coach Taurai Mangwiro, said he was not surprised that the left-footed midfielder had made the grade in Europe at such a young age.
“He is a talented young player who did a very good job for us at the Cosafa Championships in 2010 and 2011,” said Mangwiro. “He was still very young then, but he proved to be an influential member of the team and scored a great goal in one of our games in 2010. He has a wonderful left foot … and passing is one of his strengths. He also has an eye for the goal and he has the potential to become a great player for Zimbabwe.”
Nakamba impressed as part of Methembe Ndlovu’s Bantu Rovers side which consisted mostly of schoolboys in 2010. But the team’s relegation at the end of that season meant he disappeared from the radar altogether and although he played for the Under-20s again at the 2011 Cosafa Games, it was in fact Ronald ‘Rooney’ Chitiyo and Kuda Mahachi who hogged the limelight then.
Bantu Rovers officials insist that Nakamba, who has already made one appearance for the Nancy reserves, is a much more polished talent than the stylish Castle Lager Premiership Rookie of the year Mahachi.
With new Warriors coach Klaus Pagels rebuilding the Warriors and focusing on the country’s exciting young talent, Nakamba could find himself in the picture to play for Zimbabwe, should he make it into the Nancy first team.
Post published in: Football