Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE senior women’s football team striker Rutendo Makore is scripting a magnificent story of a genius, who has mastered the art of navigating the resurgence path.
Makore is now awaiting the formal crowning moment as the Zimbabwe Women Premier Soccer League Golden Boot for 2025 after netting 28 goals.
She is currently in camp with the Mighty Warriors preparing for the Four Nations tournament in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia are lined up for the showdown at Bingu National Stadium from November 29 to December 2, while South Africa’s participation is yet to be confirmed.
Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda will be expected to trim her 30-member squad down to 23 before departure on November 27.
“Madzimai” as Makore is affectionately known is expected to lead from the front as the most senior player in the Mighty Warriors ensemble.
The prolific striker’s football story is no ordinary one — her career has been one of ups and downs.
Just three seasons ago, the veteran forward had ruled herself out of the game after picking up a career-threatening knee injury.
Apart from the magnitude of the injury, the decorated football star also found it difficult to afford the corrective surgery which the doctors had recommended.
Still, the surgery would guarantee a 50 percent chance of her return to the pitch.
And all that, coupled with lost confidence, made Makore felt that her football journey whose major highlight was featuring for the Mighty Warriors at the 2026 Olympics had ended.
“I am over the moon, after picking a nasty injury, I never imagined coming this far, let alone winning the golden boot challenge,” she said.
“At some point, I had to watch the game from the sidelines, it was heartbreaking to imagine that my journey was ending at a time when my mates were at their peak.”
Prior to her injury, the ex-Sporting de Huelva forward made history playing alongside the likes of Felistas Muzongondi, Danai Bhobho, Emmaculate Msipa and Rudo Neshamba.
Her colleagues’ exploits motivated her into staging a spirited comeback.
This meant putting her pride aside and going out with a begging bowl to raise funds for the corrective surgery.
“For some time I had resigned myself to the fact that my journey was over.
“However, one of my mates Rudo Neshamba got a similar injury prior to mine, and her comeback was motivating so I told myself that I could also do it.”
“Having played with her in our prime, then seeing her go down and come back, I realised that nothing could stop me too.”
After a successful surgery, and her return to football, Makore only realised that she had another hurdle to overcome.
She had become overweight and her coaches instructed her to shed some kilos and regain fitness.
Following a gruelling fitness journey, the 2017 COSAFA Cup Golden Boot winner last year bounced back to competitive action at Black Rhinos Queens.
A season later, she is basking in glory after leading the scoring charts with a goal ahead of Herentals Queens’ Praynance Zvawanda.
Now all eyes are on her, with fans hoping that she replicates her scoring form for the Mighty Warriors.
“I have been putting in an extra shift because I wish to surpass my previous records; I know many will argue against that based on my age but I am determined to make it happen,” she said.
“I still have memories of the 2016 Olympics, that is my career highlights and it is my wish to inspire my team to such moments once again.
“Although it never rewarded us financially, living the experience meant everything for us, we were minnows on that stage and we donned the badge with pride.
“Now the squad is largely made up of youngsters, and I will do my best to stand tall for them, they need inspiration and I believe giving them that is part of my role.”
Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Cynthia Shonga (Herentals Queens), Delight Matigwene (Chapungu Queens), Vanessa Lunga (Platinum Royals)
Defenders: Bridget Mutaurwa (Herentals Queens), Thandekile Mandaba (Correctional Queens), Nobukhosi Ncube (Chapungu Queens), Egness Tumbare (Correctional Queens), Nokukhanya Ndlovu (Platinum Royals), Fiona Kabera (Conduit Soccer Academy), Melinda Mapasure (Faithdrive Academy), Sheila Antonio (Chapungu Queens), Alice Moyo (Herentals Queens)
Midfielders: Caroline Mangwai (Black Rhinos Queens), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos Queens), Shyline Dambamuromo (Herentals Queens), Macgirl Sipini (Harare City Queens), Patience Ndlovu (Mpopoma Soccer Academy), Lucia Chisvo (Black Rhinos), Bethel Kondo (Herentals Queens), Christabel Katona (Black Rhinos), Ennert Chemhere (Platinum Royals), Tasha Dube (Sheasham Queens)
Forwards: Praynance Zvawanda (Herentals Queens), Thandolwenkosi Sibanda (Mpopoma Soccer Academy), Blessing Moyo (Correctional Queens), Mitchel Guri (Highlanders Royals), Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos Queens), Anita Ncube (Kwekwe Queens), Ethel Chinyerere (Chapungu Queens), Priviledge Mupeti (Black Rhinos)
Technical team: Sithethelelwe Sibanda (Coach), Tsitsi Shiri (assistant coach), Onai Chingawo (goalkeepers coach), Primrose Serima (fitness coach), Margaret Maulana (team doctor), Kudzanayi Matavire (physiotherapist), Petronella Mutyambizi (safeguarding), Debra Green (team manager)
