BULAWAYO – Zimbabwe national team captain Marvelous Nakamba is championing the fight against drug abuse through the Njube Spurs project, a junior team from his childhood neighbourhood in Bulawayo.
Nakamba sponsors the team by providing kits, match balls and other logistics, with his father, Anthony Nakamba, a regular face at their matches at the Desert home ground.
Interestingly, Spurs’ Under-17s have made Nakamba even more enthusiastic about the project as they currently lead the ZIFA Bulawayo Junior League log with 56 points, eight clear of second-placed Tigers FC, who are on 46 points with six games left.
Speaking from the UK, Nakamba, who plays for Luton Town, expressed his delight at the team’s progress:
“It’s a joyful thing to see Spur’s Under-17s performing well. This is the age where most youths tend to take drugs, but these boys are focused on football.
“That focus has kept them off the streets, away from drug abuse and other illicit activities,” said Nakamba.
“I’m proud of the Njube Spurs boys and their coaches. The whole project is inspiring. It’s not easy to top the log, especially in the juniors’ league where there’s so much competition.”
In July 2024, Nakamba, through his Marvelous Nakamba Foundation, donated four sets of kits and a set of soccer balls to Njube Spurs.
During the handover ceremony, club chairperson Trust Chizunza praised Nakamba’s gesture.
He said: “We would like to thank Marvelous Nakamba for this gesture. This is something done from deep down someone’s heart.
“Giving back to the community shows true commitment. The more the project runs, the more our youths shy away from drugs.”
Anthony Nakamba added: “Marvelous grew up here in Njube and football has changed his life. My wish is to see another Marvelous come out of Njube.”
Nakamba, who attended Helemu Primary and Njube High School, says his long-term dream is to see Njube Spurs grow into a major club like the newly formed Scottland FC, which already boasts a Premier Soccer League side, a developmental side and an academy.
“Honestly, Scott (Sakupwanya) is doing a great job back home. The standards of our local football are changing. Look at the signings, the salaries being reported, the renovation of Mabvuku Stadium and the building of Villas for players and staff, he is clearly committed.
“It’s also my wish that one day Njube Spurs becomes as big as that,” said the ex-Bantu Rovers star.
Through his foundation in 2021, Nakamba hosted an Under-17 tournament in Bulawayo, which Majesa Academy won.
The Player of the Tournament, Prosper Padera , now based in Finland, has since broken into the senior national team.
Padera was part of the Warriors squad in the last international break where Zimbabwe faced Benin and Rwanda, lining up alongside Nakamba, whose tournament gave him the limelight.
Nakamba revealed there’s more support coming.
“There is a container with kits, sets of balls and other football equipment that I will send to Zimbabwe soon. It will be distributed among all age groups at Njube Spurs,” he added.
