Former Tusker FC midfielder Jackson Macharia is angling for a new challenge in the FKF Premier League just days after his exit from the Brewers – a club that he served for seven years and nine months.Macharia was on 28 July announced to have left the Ruaraka-based club after the expiry of his recently renewed deal earlier this year, becoming one of the seven names the club has had to part with in the offseason.🚨 | A long time servant of the club, diligent, hardworking and a motivating senior figure in the team, Jackson Macharia, leaves the club.A legend in his own right, we thank Masha for his time; seven years and nine months.All the best in your new adventure ‘dreader’ pic.twitter.com/eixR0rt3wc— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) July 28, 2023 The other confirmed players exiting the den include; former skipper Humphrey Mieno, Michael Wanjala, Shami Mwinyi, Kevin Monyi, David Majak and Tanzanian defender Kalos Kirenge.“I felt like it was finally time for me to explore a move outside Tusker,” Macharia told Mozzart Sport following his departure. “One thing that I felt needed to be clarified to the public was that my contract renewal earlier this year was a six months deal and not the reported one year extension, and it came to a close just after the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.”From a bright talent at Thika United, Macharia’s move to Tusker, as per Macharia, was one of the ‘biggest moments’ in his career, terming the growth there as very pivotal in his life.##NAJAVA_MECA_7424322##“My whole life changed after making that move to Tusker,” the midfielder said. “First off, I was joining a big club that had big expectations. That means I had to carry myself in a different way and show that I am a winner. The other thing was just being at a place where you feel appreciated and can feel the impact of other people around you.“Tusker and their coaches have made me a different player. The fans who always attended games made me feel special and I can’t thank them enough. Looking back at what I was able to achieve and for how long, makes me feel like I exhausted everything that I could have done for the club. Maybe explains why it was understandable for both sides to mutually agree on parting ways.”In addition to leading his team to a league and cup double in 2016, as well as being part of the team that won the FKF Premier League in the 2020/2021 season, Macharia was not alien to individual awards – with him being named as Tusker’s player of the month in February 2021 after scoring three goals in wins over Wazito, Nzoia Sugar and Posta Rangers.Jackson Macharia crowned February Tusker FC player of the month. Congratulations 👏👏#Tuskerfc #KenyanFootball #FKFPL #JazaStadi pic.twitter.com/LZCankUYI4— Jaza Stadi (@jaza_stadi) March 9, 2021 The Kenyan international – feat he earned while still playing for Tusker -was also among six players shortlisted for the 2020/2021 Football Kenya Federation Premier League Midfielder of the Year award.“Everything at Tusker quickly transformed on an individual level, to progression,” Macharia added, thanking the club for taking good care of him over the period dating back to 2016.On what his career holds, Macharia was open to the fact that several top tier FKF Premier League clubs were after his signature, with him holding several talks with some of them (which he opted to keep secret).Legendary Rudisha named ambassador in upcoming Budapest World Championship“My goal right now is to get involved with a contending team where I can help them get over the hump,” he added. “My experience I believe is something clubs would appreciate.”With several questions on whether retirement was an option, Macharia mentioned that he feels he ‘still has years left on the tank’ even as he wished Tusker well in future.“The new signings are exciting,” he noted. “The mentality around there is to win and for a club that I called home for so long, the worst thing I would do is not to wish them well.”Tusker began their preseason outing in Tanzania on the wrong foot, falling 0-1 to Coastal Union, but have a chance to rebound on Saturday in a fixture against Mbuni FC.
