Makore delighted by CAF honour

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors star striker Rutendo Makore is over the moon after she made it on the CAF Women’s Player of the Year shortlist that was unveiled in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Monday Makore, still on a high following her break into the professional game after she recently joined Spain’s Sporting Club de Huelva, has something to celebrate again after making it on the prestigious CAF shortlist.

It is the first time that the Mighty Warriors have had a player nominated on the CAF Player of the Year list. As she still settles at her new club, Makore will walk with a spring in her step knowing she is among the five players who will battle for the top award whose winner will be revealed at the CAF Awards Ceremony in Accra, Ghana on January 4.

The other players on the shortlist are Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria, Chrestina Kgatlana from South Africa, Cameroon’s Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Sweden-based Malawian Tabitha Chawinga. Speaking from her base in Spain, Makore, who also recently got engaged to Black Rhinos player Cliff Chitsamba just before her departure for Europe, said she was elated to have made it on the nominees’ list.

“I feel so happy just to be nominated. It means a lot in my life and also in football. It means that if you work hard you will achieve what you want at the end. And I have also just been engaged, too, so I am so happy,” said Makore.

The bustling striker, affectionately known as “Madzimai”, ran riot during the COSAFA Women’s Championships in Bulawayo in September, scoring 10 goals to claim the Golden Boot award. The Mighty Warriors forward was the star of the show for the hosts during the regional tournament as she provided the crucial goals for her side. She even scored in the final, albeit in a 2-1 losing cause, as South Africa’s Banyana Banyana claimed the COSAFA title.

“I think winning the Golden Boot at COSAFA and moving from Zimbabwe to Spain has contributed also. I think a lot of people who attended the COSAFA tournament witnessed something, they saw my performance. Although I did not win the Player of the Tournament award, I won the Golden Boot. I think it will open more doors for me from other clubs. After the COSAFA Championships, I was approached by several scouts and I was also looking for new opportunities,” she said.

“And I think this will also open doors for other players in Zimbabwe as well because people are now taking an interest in our local football.” Makore, just like Warriors skipper Knowledge Musona, began her journey as a footballer at St Eric’s High School in Norton. She is grateful for the support she got from her coaches and her mother Vimbai Makore.

“It was always my desire to play in Europe and now I am here I would want to play with some of the world best players. I want to thank Black Rhinos Queens for giving me a job, taking me into their club, now I am earning a living through soccer and I can take care of my mom. I want to thank my coaches who motivated me – from school up to now,” she said.

“My mother has been so supportive from my school days. She provided everything to make it possible for me to pursue my dreams. I want to thank my boyfriend too, he is so supportive, he plays soccer and he loves soccer,” Makore said.

The Mighty Warriors have also been nominated for the Women’s National Team of the Year award following their good run in the COSAFA Women’s Championships. The Mighty Warriors would have to contend with Kenya, South Africa and the Ghana and the Nigeria Under-20 sides for the award.