Highly rated Zimbabwean defender Isheanesu Mauchi, a player linked to TS Galaxy, has revealed the three key reasons he turned down a lucrative offer from Zimbabwean rivals, Scottland FC.
The Zimbabwe Warriors centre-back, who plays for Simba Bhora, was a mid-season target for Scottland. Scottland were recently crowned champions of the Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The commanding central defender, who has cemented his position as one of the top defenders in the Zimbabwean league, snubbed the offer, opting to stay at Simba. The 23-year-old, a 2024 league title winner, helped the Joel Luphahla-coached Simba finish third in the just-ended season.
After being part of a defence that kept 18 clean sheets in 34 outings, he was named in the Soccer Stars of the Year for the second season running. Mauchi has since explained the three reasons he prioritised his current club.
WHY MAUCHI TURNED DOWN SCOTTLAND FC
In a surprising revelation, Mauchi revealed that his primary factor in any big decision is not money or prestige, but a deep, personal sense of assurance.
“The first factor that went into making that decision is how I make all of my decisions… looking for the peace that transcends all human understanding,” Mauchi told FARPost. “So, do I feel doubts? Do I feel anxiety? Do I feel some type of second-guessing? If I decide to go this way, will I feel peace no matter the outcome? That is how I make all of my decisions.”
The 1.94-m tall defender expressed significant professional concern about the ongoing changes within the Scottland FC squad. He noted that, despite the club’s high profile, the rotational policy raised questions about his potential game time and development.
He felt the squad was too fluid, with numerous players being acquired and loaned out, making his position uncertain.
“Another thing that then tied into it was how the team was put together, and that a lot of players were acquired. A lot of players were then loaned out, and the team was consistently changing,” he added. “So, did I have a cemented place or position in that team? Was I going to be playing? Was I going to be getting game time?”
MAUCHI’S UNWAVERING LOYALTY TO SIMBA BHORA
The most heartfelt reason was Mauchi’s unwavering loyalty and gratitude towards his current club, Simba Bhora. He emphasised that leaving mid-season would betray the platform they gave him when he first returned to Zimbabwe from Spain.
“Simba Bhora has been my home for the past three years. I got there as no one, and they gave me that platform to grow,” he explained. “To then leave in the middle of the season after they’ve done so much for me, after we have so much history, and also where we are playing Champions League, where we are looking to win the league as well… to then leave in the midst of all this is not the type of person I want to be.”
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