‘It was a great feeling’ – Zimbabwean Lucien Mahovo shines on full Norwich City debut in 5-1 victory

By Agencies

UNITED KINGDOM: Norwich City’s Zimbabwean defender Lucien Mahovo said it was a “great feeling” to make his first start for the club in the 5-1 win over Swansea on Saturday.

The 19-year-old was on loan at Boston United in National League North from Notts County less than a year ago, but was introduced as a substitute for the Canaries in the recent games at Sheffield United and Leeds United.

Mahovo started and played 65 minutes at left-back at Carrow Road against the Swans and said he was “nervous” but pleased to top off the occasion with victory.

“It was a great feeling. It’s nervous with your first start, but it’s nice to top it off with a 5-1 win,” the teenager said.

“It’s been a nervous week. After the Leeds game, I could definitely feel the nerves because I knew that I had the opportunity that I could start. I was nervous, but there is no point fighting it. I’ve embraced it, and I think I performed well.

He continued; “I just try my best. It was still good, and I’m not going to complain about being thrown in. I knew from Friday in training that I was starting. Johannes told me to relax, and we’d worked on it, so I didn’t want to be stressed about the occasion.

“Yesterday was crazy. I could feel my heart pounding all through last night. It was just trying to get to sleep and get a good night’s rest to be ready for today. Once I woke up, I was okay. It was more the week leading up to it.”

Mahovo, who was signed by Norwich in July 2024, said he cannot complain about being “thrown in at the deep end”.

“It’s quick and you get a lot more adrenaline playing in front of 30,000 compared to five or 10 [thousand],” Mahovo said of the difference between the Championship and the lower leagues.

Mahovo said he is hoping to build on the opportunity with more starts, and added: “It’s not just this one performance, I’ve got to keep building on it. It’s got to be two, three, four and then make it a consistent thing.”

The full-back believes a loan spell at non-league Boston United pushed him onto Norwich City’s radar.

The teenager explained the journey he has been on between leaving Bramall Lane and his first Championship start for Norwich.

“I was at Sheffield United, and I didn’t quite get a scholarship, so I went to Notts County,” Mahovo explained.

“I had a couple of loans there. I went to Long Eaton and had one in Boston, which was probably the most successful one. That is where I was found to be here at Norwich. I haven’t looked back since. He [Culverhouse] was a great manager, and I really enjoyed playing under him.