Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE story of Rutendo Makore is that of a Mighty Warrior who never lost her magical scoring boots.
Introduced to the women’s football national team in 2010, Makore over the years developed a knack for scoring goals for fun.
And, at a time when many thought she would naturally be slowing down and considering retirement, the star’s blistering strikes continue, proving that she still has her mojo.
At the ongoing COSAFA Cup, she has scored two of the three important goals for the Mighty Warriors against Eswatini and Botswana.
Interestingly in both fixtures, she came in from the bench to change the complexion of the game to hand Zimbabwe 2-0 and 1-0 victories in that order.
In fact, “Madzimai” as she is affectionately known, has proved without doubt that she is still the go to person when the team is in difficult times.
“It feels good to still be able to score goals and help my team win at this stage,” she said.
“I have been here for long and when, as a player, you can still play such a role for your team and the nation then you ought to give praise to God for guiding you.”
That Makore scored important goals for Zimbabwe did not come as a surprise for any of the 11 nations at the ongoing COSAFA Cup in Polokwane.
After all, the Mighty Warrior’s name is familiar at the COSAFA stage after she was crowned the Tournament’s Golden Boot Winner back in 2017.
Even prior to that accolade, her name would be mentioned on goal poachers’ lists across the region.
However, after 2017 she was to take a sabbatical after picking a career threatening injury.
But a resilient Makore scripted a magnificent story of a genius who can weather the storms.
Just four years ago, the veteran forward had ruled herself out the game after a nasty knee injury.
Closely following Felistas Muzongondi, Rudo Neshamba and her other mates from the sidelines, Makore was motivated to stage a spirited comeback.
This meant going out with a begging bowl to raise funds for the corrective surgery.
“I had come to terms with the situation, I told myself that my football journey was over,” she said.
However, realising that one of her mates had in the past picked a similar injury before going for surgery and bouncing back, Makore knew she could also do it. In no time, help came through for the Mighty Warrior and she went under the knife.
However, she realized that she still had another hurdle to overcome.
The prolific goal scorer had become overweight and her coaches instructed her to shed off weight and regain fitness to bounce back.
“I had to go on an aggressive weight loss and fitness journey, and it had to be one of the most challenging times I have gone through in my football journey,” she said.
“For months I toiled but I vowed to never give up and my support system also stayed on toes to ensure I am back on the pitch.”
In 2024, Makore got back to competitive action at Black Rhinos Queens.
Mathew Masinge