WARRIORS coach Michael Nees is pleased with captain Marvelous Nakamba’s progress as the Luton midfielder works his way to full fitness after several months on the sidelines.
The German coach says he is closely monitoring Nakamba’s progress ahead of Zimbabwe’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Qualifiers against Namibia scheduled for Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zimbabwe have two points from two matches following draws against Cameroon and Kenya.
The two teams will also be locked up in back-to-back encounters next month.
The top two teams in the group qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals set for Morocco next year.
Nakamba last featured for the Warriors in November last year, where he picked up an injury in World Cup Qualifiers.
He made a return to competitive action three weeks ago in Luton’s 2-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers in an English Cup.
The former Aston Villa star played 20 minutes in his first league appearance win this season, where Luton defeated Millwall 1-0 last week.
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His first league start in the Haters’ colours was in the 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, where he lasted 60 minutes.
“He [Nakamba] has had another game over the weekend. We must take it step by step. I’m in contact with him,” Nees told NewsDay Sport.
“He had a serious injury, and we need to be careful depending on how the situation is. If he can train full practice, if he can play for lengthy periods and so on.”
Kenya lead Group J on four points, just as with Cameroon, but enjoy a superior goal difference, while Namibia, yet to pick a point, anchor the table.
The Warriors are yet to record a win and neither have they scored a goal, but Nees was satisfied with the start of this campaign.
“I think with performances, we could be happy. Results, we could have got a little bit more out of the game, but with a little bit bad luck, we could have also got a little bit less. So we have to take it as it is and be satisfied with what we have,” the German added.
“I’m going around watching games. Football is of a different kind. It’s not a passing game. It’s more about ball control, dribbling game because of the conditions.
“Pressing could be a little bit more active, but the players are skilful, the engagement is there, the effort is there. We have watched some exciting games already and some good matches.”
Nees took time to attend the historic Heart Women Soccer League Tournament sponsored by Walter Magaya’s Heart Group at the Heart Stadium in Waterfalls last week and gave a good account of how women’s football has evolved in the country.
“It was an interesting game. Some skillful players, very speedy, tiny, but very, fast and very streetwise in some situations with a good technique. It was interesting,” he said.
“It’s a different football [game] when you watch women’s football in Germany. It’s really a different kind of game, but they showed some good skills. I was impressed.”
