Sports / Local
Marvelous Nakamba Is Becoming a Fan Favourite at Villa Park
24 Feb 2021 at 20:13hrs | Views
Generally speaking, it takes a while for local fans in the English Premier League to be convinced of any new players that arrive at a club. That's not to say that there isn't a murmur of excitement when they pitch up, but there is only so long that a promising-sounding name can afford the tag of a good player without then proving it soon after.
Indeed, football fans in the UK have been somewhat scarred over the years when it comes to imports from other places, Southern Africa in particular. Who can forget the tale of South African Oldjohn Mabizela? The defender departed Tottenham Hotspur as quickly as he arrived despite scoring a screamer on his debut. Tardiness and lack of application meant that Spurs fans never got to see the real player. At the same time, a disappointed Premier League watched on and took notes about being aware of false prophets.
That was until a man who grew up in Bulawayo won over the Aston Villa fans. Marvelous Nakamba may not be getting a lot of game time currently at Villa Park but if it were up to the fans, the Zimbabwean would start every week. In fact, there is a bit of tension building up between the Villa faithful and manager Dean Smith over Nakamba's omission at the moment.
Most of the supporters see the vital need for Nakamba's hard tackling and shepherding of play just in front of the back four and without him, the argument is that Villa becomes easy to overpower. A drab 0-0 against Brighton was the first time a bit of dissent towards Smith could be detected on social media.
Although, the feeling of goodwill from fans towards the Villa boss is still largely evident, especially as the Midlands club is safe from relegation. In general, predictions for today's football in the Premier League tip Villa to finish comfortably in mid-table. This has earned Smith a lot of credit among the supporters given how close they came to going down last season. But every now and then, managers misjudge players. Smith would do well to heed the advice coming from the fans.
All in all, though, this situation can only be seen as a positive for Nakmaba who has successfully endeared himself to supporters after a mere season and a half since Club Brugge agreed on a deal with Villa.
The 27-year-old looks to have established a future for himself in the toughest domestic league in world football and that is no small feat.
Indeed, there will be plenty of suitors watching the man from Bulawayo. Should he find game time hard to come by at Villa Park, a move to another Premier League club could be on the cards during the next transfer window. There will be tens of thousands of Aston Villa fans who will hope that isn't the case for the man they regard as Marvelous by name, and marvelous by nature.
Indeed, football fans in the UK have been somewhat scarred over the years when it comes to imports from other places, Southern Africa in particular. Who can forget the tale of South African Oldjohn Mabizela? The defender departed Tottenham Hotspur as quickly as he arrived despite scoring a screamer on his debut. Tardiness and lack of application meant that Spurs fans never got to see the real player. At the same time, a disappointed Premier League watched on and took notes about being aware of false prophets.
How about this for a goal on your debut?! 🚀 💥
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 28, 2017
👏 Mbulelo Mabizela 😲#COYS pic.twitter.com/slW1FKbfVZ
That was until a man who grew up in Bulawayo won over the Aston Villa fans. Marvelous Nakamba may not be getting a lot of game time currently at Villa Park but if it were up to the fans, the Zimbabwean would start every week. In fact, there is a bit of tension building up between the Villa faithful and manager Dean Smith over Nakamba's omission at the moment.
Most of the supporters see the vital need for Nakamba's hard tackling and shepherding of play just in front of the back four and without him, the argument is that Villa becomes easy to overpower. A drab 0-0 against Brighton was the first time a bit of dissent towards Smith could be detected on social media.
Solid team performance tonight 💜 pic.twitter.com/kNFMqfJ50G
— Marvelous Nakamba (@Nakamba_11) January 23, 2021
All in all, though, this situation can only be seen as a positive for Nakmaba who has successfully endeared himself to supporters after a mere season and a half since Club Brugge agreed on a deal with Villa.
The 27-year-old looks to have established a future for himself in the toughest domestic league in world football and that is no small feat.
Indeed, there will be plenty of suitors watching the man from Bulawayo. Should he find game time hard to come by at Villa Park, a move to another Premier League club could be on the cards during the next transfer window. There will be tens of thousands of Aston Villa fans who will hope that isn't the case for the man they regard as Marvelous by name, and marvelous by nature.
Source - Byo24News
