EVERYONE connected to Simba Bhora was left unimpressed by the team's performance in their goalless draw against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Wadzanayi on Saturday, but there was one player who made a good impression.
That player is Isheanesu Mauchi, a rising star who is quickly transforming himself into one of the league's most consistent defenders.
The 22-year-old justified his inclusion in the national senior men's team squad last week for this month's two international friendly matches against Burkina Faso and Niger, with a polished performance against Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The visitors dominated the larger parts of the match but couldn't find a way past the hosts' defensive wall, which was well marshalled by the young Mauchi.
In particular, the gangly defender made two crucial goal-saving tackles in the second half as the Takesure Chiragwi-coached side upped the pressure.
After the match, Chiragwi, who is the Warriors' assistant coach, singled out Mauchi for praise and admitted he was the difference between his side getting all three points and walking away with a point.
It says something when a rival coach comes out and passes positive judgement about an opposing player, especially after Mauchi's hugely divided opinions when he was selected among the best 11 players of the season last term.
"I think we were a better side in terms of detecting the pace and going forward," Chiragwi said
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"Unfortunately, we couldn't get the goal, but we tried our best. And also, we need to give credit to the defenders of the opposition. They did very well, especially the young Mauchi. He was outstanding in terms of his vision, reading of the game, and also tight-making. There were two situations in which we were about to celebrate and came close to scoring, but he did well to stop the danger. So I think we need to appreciate the opposition; they did very well. It was a very exciting game, to be honest. Very intense in terms of aggression. Everything was there, and I think we watched a very good game today," he said.
It’s no wonder that Mauchi has become such an influential figure in Joel Luphahla's line-up, whose defence is one of the best in the league.
Simba Bhora's defence has let in just six goals in 14 matches. Only log leaders MWOS (five) and Scottland (five) have conceded fewer.
Asked if Mauchi's fine performance justified his inclusion into the Warriors squad for the upcoming friendly matches in Morocco, Chiragwi quipped, "That's the reason why he is there [in the squad]."
Mauchi was expected to join with the rest of the Warriors squad members in camp in Harare yesterday morning before flying out to Casablanca, Morocco, later in the evening.
Zimbabwe will face Burkina Faso on Friday, followed by a clash against Niger four days later.
The two matches are part of Warriors coach Michael Nees' preparations for the team's four World Cup qualifiers in September and October this year.
They play Benin and Rwanda in September before facing South Africa and Lesotho the following month.
This is the second time that Mauchi has been called to the main Warriors team after he was named in the final 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria earlier this year, but he has yet to make his debut.
He would be hoping to be given some game time in the two friendly matches as his stock continues to rise.
