Neo Maema reveals why he rejected Kaizer Chiefs for Tanzanian giants Simba

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema has opened up on why he turned down an approach to join Kaizer Chiefs.

Maema struggled for gametime at Sundowns in the last two seasons and opted to look for a fresh challenge at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

However, instead of signing for a PSL team, he decided to move to Tanzania, where he joined Simba SC who were then coached by South African coach Fadlu Davids, before the tactician left them to join Raja Casablanca last month.

Maema says he had a chance to join Amakhosi after the club approached his representatives but he was set on experiencing something totally different and that is why he opted to move to East Africa instead.

“I’m not sure whether it’s right to talk about them, but there was interest, to be honest,” Maema told Soccer Laduma.

Why did Maema turn down Chiefs’ approach?

“My agent came to me and told me there was interest, but it was very difficult in the space that I was in. I sat down with my dad and my family and told them, ‘This is how I feel, and I feel like if I switch teams, it’s not going to be good for me as a player.

“I feel like what I need is a completely new environment because I wasn’t getting consistent playing time for two years.’”

Maema is now getting gametime at Simba both in the league and cup and is set to feature in the CAF Champions League group stages after the Dar es Salaam-based giants secured their place, which could pit them against Sundowns.

The midfielder says it was an easy choice once he spoke to Davids as he had a burning desire to test himself in a new league and experience a different culture.

Ex-Downs midfielder on need to play abroad

“Coach Fadlu Davids came in and showed interest, and then Simba came,” he added. “I said this might be what I need, but greener pastures are not about the physical location, it’s where God wants you to go.”

“That’s what I wanted to experience throughout my career. At some point, whether for a season or two, I just wanted to be out of the country, play football there, learn new things, and become a man,” Maema further said.

“Football is very short and it’s going to end, so at least you’ll have a lot of experience about what football is and what God has let you see in the game.”

Chiefs signed 12 new players in the off-season among them midfielders Lebohang Maboe, Ethan Chislett and Siphesihle Ndlovu.