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Kudakwashe Mahachi

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE international Kudakwashe Mahachi had a brilliant debut for Durban-based South African Premier Soccer League side Golden Arrows, who knocked out Ajax Cape Town in the first round of the Telkom Knockout Challenge on Saturday.

Mahachi joined the KwaZulu-Natal club as a free agent last week after being released from his contract by Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mahachi was unlucky not to score on his debut in the 23rd minute when he latched onto a cross field pass and slammed a powerful shot that was superbly saved by Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, who dived to his left to punch out the attempt.

He justified Arrows’ faith in his abilities by giving the opponents a torrid afternoon and causing the sending off of Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, who hacked him down as he was going for goal in the second half. The ex-Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn and Highlanders’ winger is happy that he has found a home at Golden Arrows.

“It’s good to play football again. I never lost hope when it appeared as if I will only play next year after being left out of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad due to the foreign quota issue. I knew that everything happens in God’s time and when one door closes, another opens. I’m happy at Golden Arrows and I’m looking forward to a great stay,” said Mahachi.

He declined to comment on contract details of his move to Arrows. Mahachi said he picked a knock on Saturday, which he described as minor. The winger is confident that playing for Arrows will keep his chances of receiving national team call-ups bright.

“Obviously playing for my country is important to me and had I not found a club, it was going to be difficult to get called for duty. I’m grateful to coach Callisto Pasuwa who showed his faith in me at a time when I was clubless by calling me for the Guinea game. That gave me confidence to work harder and prove to those doubting my capabilities that I’m a hard worker who deserves recognition,” said Mahachi.