Nakamba inspired by Moukandjou

Sport
Former Zimbabwe youth international midfielder Marvelous Nakamba looks to his AS Nancy teammate and Cameroon forward Benjamin Moukandjou

Former Zimbabwe youth international midfielder Marvelous Nakamba looks to his AS Nancy teammate and Cameroon forward Benjamin Moukandjou as his biggest inspiration in his debut French League2 season.

BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

Moukandjou made international headlines last Thursday after he was head-butted by compatriot and Tottenham left-back Benoit Assou Ekotto during Camaroon’s 4-0 thumping by Croatia at the ongoing Fifa World Cup.

It had to take Achille Webo to restrain Assou-Ekitto while captain Samuel Eto’o also had a busy time containing the defender’s explosion after the final whistle. With Moukandjo maintaining his cool after the head-butt, it is not surprising that Nakamba drew inspiration from the former Monaco man in his maiden League2 season.

“Benjamin Moukandjo inspires me,” said Nakamba.

“Yes, he is from Cameroon but he speaks both English and French and that is how I easily communicate with him. l can speak French but not that fluent,” he said.

AS Nancy narrowly missed League1 promotion on the final day of last season with Nakamba making six appearances after graduating from the reserve side in January.

Although most of his appearances were cameo roles, he lasted the entire match in the 3-1 win over Angers after making his senior debut against Tours in February.

His campaign also included a six-minute substitute appearance in the 0-0 draw away at Benjani Mwaruwari’s former club AJ Auxerre.

Being thrown into the thick of things at a critical period when AS Nancy were pushing for League1 promotion underlines Nakamba’s talent.

The 20-year-old attacking linkman joined AS Nancy in June 2012 from Bantu Rovers after also trying out at Belgian Jupiler side Cercle Brugge.

He had made his Premier Soccer League debut as a 16-year-old in 2010 in a Rovers team that included Hebert Dick and Danny Phiri.