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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors striker Rutendo Makore says she is happy to be back in the team ahead of their third round Olympic Games qualifier tie against Cote d’Ivoire this Sunday at Robert Champroux, Abidjan.

Makore, who was going through military training, last played for the Mighty Warriors last year in May against Zambia during the African Women Championships qualifiers.

“I am happy to be back in the team. I was away for quite some time because of work commitments,” said Makore.

“I have been training with my club since I came back a few weeks ago so I am in shape. During our training at work we used to play soccer every Wednesday which was our sports day so it’s different from when you are not doing anything to keep yourself in shape.

“With the preparations the team has had when they played Ghana and Zambia I think we will be able to do well.

“We no longer have big teams these days because looking at the way we played against Ghana, who are regarded as one of the strong teams in Africa we did well. We lost by a small margin which is not that bad. “So I think we will get a good result.”

Mighty Warriors assistant coach Yohannes Chikaola said they are happy with the progress they are making as they continued with their preparations yesterday at Rufaro and noted that Makore’s presence in the squad was a boost for the team. “It’s a big boost for the team because Rutendo Makore is a seasoned player, she can turn the game and her presence will boost us against the West Africans.

“She is physically strong and is not afraid of getting into contact game.

“Our team is not that bad, first day we worked on their physical fitness and their mental attitude. We are working on their physical fitness because the West Africans their type of football is physical and they have big players in terms of their body stature. “The players’ form is okay, their league has just started so they are in good shape,” said Chikaola.

The technical team retained most of the senior players such as captain Felistas Muzongondi, midfielders Majoury Nyaumwe and Emmaculate Msipa, Patience Mujuru in the defence and goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai.

“We want continuity and also remember we are going to play Cote d’Ivoire. They have played at the African Women Championships, they have been to the World Cup and we have never been there so for us we needed players who can stand the ground when we play against them.