adminNgqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
ANY ground breaking success should have ripple effects and lasting impact.
Mighty Warriors’ striker, Erina Jeke feels it should not be different from their historic feat in qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games saying their achievement should change the country’s mindset towards women’s football.
Jeke says while they have struggled to get recognition as women footballers, making history by qualifying for the Olympics should make people treat women’s football differently.
The ladies’ version of the game has been offered little support and they had to struggle under the shadows of their male counterparts who have received better treatment and due rewards.
Jeke however, said they have never been disheartened by the second class status they have received and had focused on rewarding the nation.
“Agogo”, as Jeke is fondly known after Ghanaian international Junior Agogo, has featured regularly for the Mighty Warriors over the years having made her debut when she was just 20 against South Africa in 2010.
Like many of her talented peers, Jeke managed to secure herself a job due to her exploits on the field after she was recruited by the Zimbabwe Prison Services to play for their side Flame Lily, a team that has been doing well in the local league.
The Mabvuku-bred star took to football as a youngster when she joined other children in playing street soccer but while others left it there, Jeke felt the urge to go further with the sport and after completing her studies at Tafara 1 Secondary School she joined the now defunct Zimphos Football Club.
“I used to play football as a pastime but was also interested in football and had joined that sport before soccer stole my heart and decided to play that sport when I was in Grade 6 at Batanai Primary School,” she said.
“I then went to Tafara 2 Secondary but won a scholarship to study at Tafara 1 where I cemented my playing career before completing my studies.”
Jeke then moved to Cyclone Stars but lack of financial rewards saw her change base and move to her current side, Flame Lily in 2010 as she sought to make a living from her talent.
Born on 16 September 1990 in Mabvuku, Agogo feels the Olympics could provide her with a platform to achieve her lifelong dream of moving abroad.
She said although Mighty Warriors are facing tough opposition they would have to be at their best and justify their presence at the Olympics.
“Many people will be watching, there will be several scouts and it will be the right platform for me to shine and attract interest from international sides. I have always wanted to play abroad and making an impact at such tournaments will certainly get one noticed,” said Jeke.
Zimbabwe opens their Olympic account against World second ranked Germany on 3 August at Corinthians Arena followed by a clash with Canada at the same venue three days later and their third and final Group F match would be at Fonte Nova Arena against Australia on 9 August.
The 25-year-old, who still resides with her parents in Mabvuku, said football is her only passion and when she is not playing or training she would be fulfilling her work duties at the ZPCS.
@rasmthembo
Online Reporter