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Bruce Chikuni

Sports Reporter

SIMBA BHORA defender, Isheanesu Mauchi, has transitioned from being a national volleyball team player into a member of the senior football side — the Warriors — underlining his multi-talents.

The 21-year-old has been impressive in coach Tonderai Ndiraya’s defensive unit, forming a strong partnership with Webster Tafa for the Shamva outfit.

His exploits have captured the eyes of the national selectors and Warriors interim coach Jairosi Tapera also felt it would be an injustice to ignore the giant defender in the squad, which is expected to take part in the COSAFA Cup tournament scheduled for South Africa from June 26 to July 7.

Mauchi joined the Shamva side last season but endured a reduced role.

Everything changed this season, and Ndiraya, who is credited for unearthing Bill Antonio, has also gambled his job on the rookie defender.

Mauchi was a member of the country’s volleyball team, and at one point, his family was certain that he would only supplement the family’s income through this sport. His father, Peter, did not stop his son from allowing his passion for football and volleyball to co-exist.

Peter would take Mauchi to Spanish giants, Barcelona Academy to sharpen his skill set.

“I’m very proud of Mauchi and I also feel that he made full use of everything we invested in his career for him to be playing top-flight football.

“Watching him playing for Simba Bhora a team from Mashonaland Central, where we come from brings me joy.

“And, him being considered for the national team, means a lot to this family because he used to be selected for the volleyball team before making a switch to football,” said Peter.

However, switching careers seems to be paying off for Peter’s children as Tadiwa who also started as a swimmer later changed to evolve into a national tennis team player.

Tadiwa won the national Under-10 championship in 2015 as a swimmer but she has now switched to tennis and represented Zimbabwe in developmental tournaments since she was 12.

She has been part of the Billy Jean King tournament in the previous three editions. Peter, also revealed that Mauchi also had a dream of becoming an engineer. But, the fact that his children are doing well in their respective sport codes, has left him the modest Peter a proud father.

“I think sport runs in the family because my wife was also a hockey player and she enjoys playing tennis to keep fit.

“I’m very impressed with how these two have been doing in their respective careers, my job is to support them to reach their potential and I’m grateful to God for blessing us with talented children.

“I sometimes remind him that at first he wanted to be an engineer and I don’t know what happened with that dream but I don’t see Mauchi quitting football for anything in the future,” he said.