Sundaymail Editor
Sports Reporter
VETERAN striker Rutendo Makore will be hoping to stake a claim on the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League, COSAFA Qualifiers Golden Boot when she leads Black Rhinos Queens into the first of the semi-final matches in Durban on Thursday.
Rhinos will meet Group A runners-up, Double Action of Botswana (kick-off 11am)
Makore is sitting on two goals, as many behind the Mamelodi Sundowns pair of Melinda Kgadiete and Andisiwe Mgcoyi, with the latter having benefitted from playing an extra game as their group had four teams.
But for Rhinos, who have defied the odds to reach the semi-finals, the focus in now on a possible place in the final after they toped their group which included Green Buffaloes of Zambia and Namibia’s TURA Magic.
Both Rhinos and Double Action have looked impressive in this tournament so far, with Makore and her Queens yet to concede a goal and Double Action brushing aside all opponents except Group A winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
Queens will go into the match as favourites with the experience they have in their team, including players such as Marjory Nyaumwe and Makore who featured at the Olympic Games in 2016 with the senior national team, the Mighty Warriors.
The second semi-final is also an intriguing battle that will feature favourite Sundowns and Green Buffaloes (2pm).
Green Buffaloes became the fourth side into the semi-finals after they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over TURA Magic on Tuesday.
Buffaloes only needed a draw to advance in second place in Group B, behind Black Rhinos.
On their part Sundowns have scored six goals in each of their three games so far, conceding only once, but Buffaloes could provide an altogether different challenge with their Zambian internationals in play.
Sundowns appear favourites on paper, but anything can happen in tournament knockout football.
The teams are aiming to reach the final, which will be played on Saturday.
The winner of that game will not only lift the regional trophy, but will also book a ticket to the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League finals that are scheduled to be played in Egypt.
Apart from Makore and Nyaumwe, Rhinos can also count on Cristobel Katona for goals.
Katona also has two goals to her account so far.
Online Reporter