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Veronica Gwaze, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Women Football League champions Herentals’ Forward, Maud Mafuruse has always been known to be a reserved and shy character.
Even a scroll through her social media pages tells a story of a social media shy person who is virtually inactive.
On the team bus or the changing rooms, she barely takes part in song and dance like her mates, instead, she chooses to remain grounded and concentrate on the upcoming task.
Known as the ‘Silent Killer’ to her fans, the beast in the diminutive player however only comes out whenever she steps onto the pitch.
The pacey Forward is one of Herentals’ trusted players and goal scorers.
Currently, she is the club’s second top goal scorer after netting nine goals in 11 games, with Praynance Zvawanda leading the pack at both the team and ZWSL with 13 scores.
Despite her reserved character, Mafuruse who also turns out for the senior national team, will be expected to play a leadership role when Herentals play the COSAFA Qualifiers next month.
Herentals are in Group A for the tournament, which is scheduled for Mpira Stadium, Blantyre, Malawi between August 15 and 24.
The tournament debutants will battle it out against 2022 champions, Green Buffaloes of Zambia, South Africa’s University of Western Cape and FC Ongos from Namibia.
The winner and runners up from each group will advance to the semi-finals, while the overall winners of the tourney progress to the final tournament.
Mafuruse, a versatile and experienced striker who gained vast international experience in her countless appearances for the Mighty Warriors, will be expected to lead her team at the regional contest.
“What I have learnt over the years is that experience also means responsibility, so looking at our team we have a number of raw players who are yet to play beyond Zimbabwe,” said Mafuruse.
“I am very happy that we will be playing at such a stage, it is a privilege to be one of the few people to ever get an opportunity to represent your club and the nation at such levels.
“It will be our role as seniors who have international experience to lead the team; I know I am expected to do a lot. Because I am not vocal, I will have to let my feet do the talking.
“I have scored for the Mighty Warriors before, and I understand how it feels up there, my hope is that I will bang goals for my club, or at least create and assist others.”
The Faith Drive prodigy notes that representing the club at such a stage does not come cheap.
“A lot is expected of you, on and off the pitch. Playing at such tournaments comes with some inevitable pressure and how you handle that pressure is important,” she said.
“As you know, we are the local champions and we are expected to win all the time.
“It is part of our responsibilities to make our mates understand that all these expectations should not put us under a lot of pressure, we just need to treat this tournament cautiously with eyes on the final tournament.”
Mafuruse, is charmed by the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns at the tourney this year, saying this will enhance their chances of finishing in the top two.
“The absence of Sundowns should work to our advantage, not that we are underestimating any team, but mentally it is weighing to know you are to face such a big name.
“We are looking forward to a top two finish and right now we are using our local games as preparations.
“When we were crowned as league champions last season, we knew we had to expect these games so as a player, you also take that time to prepare and motivate yourself mentally and physically.”
Online Reporter