Marvelous Nakamba has given Hatters hope that Saturday’s Wembley Championship play-off final victory was not his last in a Luton shirt.
The midfielder joined in January until the end of the season on loan from Aston Villa and made himself a cult hero among Town fans.
They sing his name to the tune of ‘Tequila’ by the The Champs and he repaid supporters with a goal in the penalty shootout that saw Luton pip Coventry 6-5 to reach the Premier League.
Asked yesterday on stage in St George’s Square during the club’s victory parade, Nakamba was asked if he was staying next term, and the Zimbabwe international said: “Hopefully”. The thousands of fans then sung “We want you to stay…”
He added: “To be part of that group of players, the supporters to be part of this history, it’s an amazing moment for me, and also for the town. I think it’s a good moment for everyone.”
Speaking to The Lutonian immediately after the match at Wembley, when asked about his future, Nakamba said: “I don’t know. Only god knows our future. I just have to celebrate now with Luton and hopefully for the best outcome that will come, I will be grateful for it.”
But on the play-off victory that sent Town to the promised land, Nakamba said: “Glory to the most high. I think we did well. The team has been fantastic. At the end, the belief was there. At the end, I think the team deserves it.
“When I came I found a group of players who are working hard. To be part of the family, I thank them for welcoming me. The technical staff, the players and everyone there has been working hard.
“Those on the pitch and those outside have been pushing those who are playing. I think it’s fantastic.
“Also, for the supporters, they’ve been behind the team and they pushed the players to believe that it is possible.”
Having never scored for Luton Nakamba there may have been a few hearts in mouths as he marched forward to take a spot-kick in the final’s decisive penalty shootout, but they needn’t have worried as his conversion was cool as you like.
“We practised them a lot,” said Nakamba of the penalties.
“I had to stick to my side, I had to believe it. I missed one in the Carabao Cup, but I just had to believe in myself and keep on believing what is best for me.
“I hit it right and it was in, like all the boys that scored our penalties. It’s so unlucky for Dabo from Coventry, but it’s part of football.
“We were doing a lot. There was more psychology in everything. If you noticed, when we scored a penalty, we were move one or two steps forward. Also, Lockie was part of it the day before saying it helps, psychology. Let’s just be moving forwards and doing everything and trying everything that can make us feel that we can be successful.”
Lockyer remains in hospital after he collapsed on the pitch early in the final, though he does appear to be well as they test to find out what happened to the defender.
Nakamba said: “The manager said we have to do it for him. He’s been fantastic. He’s a fantastic human being on and off the field. He’s been there for everyone, those who play and those who don’t play.
“When he went down and when the manager said we have to do it for him, he really deserves it.
“We thank god that he’s feeling much better. We saw the picture of him celebrating. I have spoken with him, also. He is still in the hospital and he’s smiling now. I think the win made him well.“
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