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Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
JUST two seasons ago, Zimbabwe national women’s football team striker Rutendo Makore quit the game.
Makore, who is also known as ‘Madzimai,’ suffered a career-threatening knee injury.
The football star found it difficult to afford the surgery which the doctors had recommended.
However, Makore is back, thanks to the inspiration she got from an old friend.
“I told myself that if she (Rudo Neshamba) did it, then I could do it as well,” said Makore.
“Not that it was a competition of some sort but having played with her in our prime, seeing her go down and come back, I realised that nothing could stop me too.
“I am happy that things went well, I am yet to return to my old self because after that knee, I needed to lose weight and regain fitness too so I am working hard to get there.”
The 2017 COSAFA Cup Golden Boot winner and ex-Sporting de Huelva forward is currently enjoying a fairy-tale return to her club, Black Rhinos.
Makore has netted three goals in the team’s eight outings.
Currently her team sits second on the log standings after registering their first defeat of the season when they fell 1-2 to Chapungu at Manyame Airbase at the weekend.
Defending champions Herentals Queens sit top of the table with 24 points and are yet to taste defeat.
“I am aiming higher actually and want to surpass my yesteryear performances, I know many will argue, based on my age, but I am determined to make it happen.
“I still have memories of the Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016, that was the highlight of my career and I would want to relive such a moment one more time hence I keep pushing.
“Financially it did not pay off but the experience meant everything considering where we were coming from as Zimbabwe Women Football and this is what keeps pushing me.”
ZWSL Week 8 Results;
Conduit Academy 0-4 Harare City; Correctional Queens1-0 Faith Drive; Herentals Queens 2-0 Black Mambas; Platinum Royals 1-0 Maningi; ZRP Harare Queens 0-1 Sheasham; Highlanders Royals 1-3 MSU Queens; Chapungu 2-1Black Rhinos; Hope Academy 0-0 Mutare City.
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