Sam Nombe and David Kasumu have both enjoyed breakout seasons at Stadium MK – and both enjoyed breakout moments against the same opposition.
Kasumu’s came away at Kingsmeadow in August, when the young midfielder scored a stunning long-range drive – his first senior goal – to help the Dons beat AFC Wimbledon in Round One of the Carabao Cup.
“I’d say the AFC Wimbledon away game [was my favourite memory of the season],” he told MKFM during his appearance on the MK Dons Fans Forum show.
“I scored and we won the game as well. It was important for me and my family. That was the best moment for me.”
Several weeks later, AFC Wimbledon visited Stadium MK for the league meeting between the two sides and it was Kasumu’s fellow Academy graduate, Nombe, who stole the show.
The young striker, in front of the Sky Sports cameras on his first league start for MK Dons, opened the scoring with a cool one-on-one finish – his first league goal – and went to claim the Man of the Match award.
“Mine would be AFC Wimbledon at home,” Nombe said. “I scored my first league start, my first league goal and I got Man of the Match too.
“To get the three points against our biggest rivals was something to remember!”
Neither player have, yet, had the opportunity to make further memories in the return league fixture against AFC Wimbledon, with the EFL season currently suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
During their Q&A on MKFM, both players, while understanding of the seriousness of the Coronavirus situation from a health perspective, expressed their frustration at having their breakout campaigns halted.
“It’s been a frustrating time,” Kasumu said. “Under Russ, we were having a run of games where he were performing and we were enjoying our football.
“It’s been a good season in terms of playing games for me. It’s all you want to do as a young player. I’ve been working as hard as I can to stay in the team and play as much as possible.”
Nombe added: “I’m missing playing football, missing being around the Club. I’m missing the fans too – they give me so much motivation. I’m missing the whole atmosphere. I can’t wait for it to come back.
“I think I’ve done well [this season] - well for the team most importantly. I’ve been welcomed into the team by the lads and the manager. It’s not easy as a young player but I’ve managed to play a lot of games, which is good.”
