Langa Ma
Sports Reporter
As Simba Bhora celebrate their maiden success in clinching the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, many will attribute it to assembling a squad of stellar players with experience.
Coach, Tonderayi Ndiraya, backed by the club’s big pockets, was able to select some of the best players, including Soccer Star of the Year contender, Walter Musona, Tymone Machope and experience in Taimon Mvula, Billy Veremu and Patson Jaure.
However, Ndiraya was also able to pluck young unknowns and emerging stars, thrusting them into the fray and they blended to come up with a winning formula.
The likes of Junior Makunike, who crossed the floor from Dynamos, Isheunesu Mauchi and Cole Tsamba all came to the party playing a critical role in the team’s success.
It is a blend that has brought joy to the Shamva community with teamwork being central to the success.
Greenhorn, Mauchi had been set for cameo roles at the beginning of the season but ended up in starting line ups on several occasions after improving his game.
In an interview a fortnight ago, before the Shamva side wrapped up its first championship, Ndiraya revealed he hadn’t imagined the role Mauchi would play in their title charge and had seen him in a fringe role throughout the season.
He said the 21-year-old youngster had developed very well and could easily grab the “Most Promising Player” award at the club.
Ndiraya attributed part of the team’s success to Mauchi.
“When the season started we never anticipated that he will at any point during the season and play regularly in the first team as he was still developing but then we had shortcomings at centre-backs, our defenders were struggling to deal with crosses and we were conceding most of our goals with crosses,” said Ndiraya.
“ We decided to gamble and throw Mauchi into the deep end as we believed his height would work wonders.”
Ndiraya said because of his height and strength in the air they saw in him the panacea to their central defence headache.
“He (Mauchi) has been at the end of most crosses that are delivered into the box by our opponents. He has been a revelation and arguably he is the most improved player in our squad thus far, I would give him that accolade,” he said.
Mauchi joined Simba Bhora last year but did not make an immediate impression with the coaches putting him on the sidelines for him to develop his game.
Ndiraya said they kept working on Mauchi in the initial stages of the season and his improvement forced us to play him in the first team.
“His height, coupled with the fact he has a volleyball background having played for the national volleyball team, he is one of the best jumpers in the league.
“Given that background, his feet are not as quick as we expected but have really improved and we continue to work with him and hope he will be better than what he is as of now. We want to see him keep improving technically and physically”
Standing at 1.95 metres tall, Mauchi is the tallest player in PSL and has utilised his height advantage well thwarting area balls ensuring Simba win all areal duels.
The 21-year-old Mauchi played volleyball at national team level before moving focus to football, starting off at St George’s College in Harare. He then moved to Spain where he attended the World Sports Academy, (WOSPAC Barcelona) before trekking back and joining Simba Bhora last year.
Online Reporter
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