Tanex Queens’ safe hands

Fungai Munyoro
HAVING grown up chasing plastic balls in the dusty streets of Mutare’s Sakubva high-density suburb, little did she know that one day she would be rubbing shoulders with the cream of women soccer in Zimbabwe. She played for Chisamba Primary School at the age of 12. That marked the beginning of a glamorous career.

Her name is Juliet Machiha. She was born 22 years ago as the 6th born in a family of seven.
Machiha did her primary education at Chisamba before enrolling at Sakubva High 1 for her secondary education.

“I attended Chisamba Primary and that is where I started playing soccer when I was doing Grade Seven,” said the talented goal-minder.
Julie’s rich vein of form saw her being thrust between the posts in their second match of the season ahead of veteran and Dangamvura-based goalkeeper Deliwe Makaha.

They played against Midlands champions Chipembere Queens and Machiha performed exceptionally well, guarding her team’s goal jealously as the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

“It is one of my best games, as I put up a superb performance,” she said.
From then on, she has never looked back and has won the hearts of many Tenax supporters after producing some crucial saves during matches.

Tenax goalkeepers coach Eddy “Dhiya” Jewu sees Machiha as a promising goalkeeper with lots of potential.
“Julie has played seven of our nine matches this season. Her first match was against Chipembere Queens, and she did well to see us draw nil-all. We went on to play Mufakose Queens, Aces Academy, ZRP Harare, Black Rhinos and Flame Lilly.

“In 2012 when we were still in First Division, she played all the matches and conceded one goal to show how excellent she is between the posts,” said her mentor.

Machiha is keeping her fingers crossed as she eyes an international move, while a call for national duty with the Mighty Warriors is her greatest wish.
“It is my greatest wish to be called for national duty and also to play abroad,” said the ‘keeper.

Machiha admires former Zimbabwe international goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro and Pop Alexandra, the Germany national women soccer captain.

Apart from football, Machiha is a member of United Methodist church and she is a single mother of two, Vincent and Vanessa.
The sky is the limit for the goalie, only if she remains focused.