Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba may finally be on the verge of reviving his Luton Town career after completing his first full 90 minutes in over eight months under new manager Jack Wilshere on Tuesday night.
The 31-year-old midfielder played the entire match in a 3-1 Vertu Trophy victory over Brighton & Hove Albion U21s, marking a major step in his return to full fitness after a frustrating spell blighted by injuries and limited opportunities.
Nakamba, once a key figure in Luton’s promotion to the Premier League during his impressive loan spell from Aston Villa, has endured a difficult period since a serious knee injury ended his top-flight campaign in December 2023. The setback derailed his momentum, and despite recovering, he only managed 17 starts last season before a calf injury in February forced him out again.
During pre-season, Nakamba’s future looked uncertain under former manager Matt Bloomfield, who admitted the midfielder had endured a “slow” return amid transfer speculation. A move never materialised, and Nakamba — still managing his workload due to the long-term knee issue — was only sporadically involved before Bloomfield’s sacking.
Wilshere’s arrival has since changed the atmosphere around Kenilworth Road. The former Arsenal captain has re-opened the door for Nakamba, naming him in his first match-day squad against Mansfield Town and praising his professionalism and hunger. Nakamba also impressed on international duty earlier this month, playing full matches for Zimbabwe against South Africa and Lesotho in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, demonstrating he could still perform at a high level.
Against Brighton U21s, Nakamba showed flashes of the commanding midfielder who once cost Aston Villa £10 million in 2019. Calm in possession, strong in tackles, and disciplined in his defensive duties, he gave Luton’s midfield a sense of stability and control — vital traits as the club navigates its League One campaign following relegation.
After the game, Wilshere hailed the Zimbabwean’s attitude:
“I like Marv. He’s been hungry, humble, and he’s got quality. You can see his experience — he wins duels, keeps it simple, and gives us balance. Hopefully we can get him fitter and give him more games because he can help us.”
For Nakamba, who last completed a full game back in February, this outing could signal a long-awaited fresh start and renewed hope of reclaiming a key role for both Luton Town and the Zimbabwe Warriors ahead of AFCON 2025.