FORMER Mighty Warriors star player Rufaro “Mafidi” Machingura will be buried in Harare this afternoon, following a timely intervention by a local funeral assurance firm.
Machingura — a product of the Aces Youth Soccer Academy, who was also instrumental when the Mighty Warriors made history by qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games — died in Waterfalls on Thursday after a long illness.
She was 30.
Machingura’s family failed to raise funds for her burial, but the former Black Rhinos Queens player will now get a decent send-off after Doves Funeral Services intervened.
“Following an appeal for help for the burial of the late Mighty Warriors striker Rufaro Machingura by her family, Doves has stepped in and will take care of the burial from casket provision to all burial-related services.
“Our sincere condolences to the Machingura family, the soccer fraternity and the nation at large over the sad loss of Rufaro Machingura. She was a vital member of the Mighty Warriors, who brought sporting glory to the nation and deserves a dignified send-off that is synonymous with Doves Funeral Services,” said Mr Innocent Tshuma, group public relations manager of Doves Holdings.
Machingura rose to national prominence in 2011, when she clinched the COSAFA Women Championships Golden Boot, with her goals propelling Zimbabwe to the regional title on home soil.
She starred alongside the likes of Rudo Neshamba Tsitsi Mairosi, Talent Mandaza, Eunice Chibanda, Erina Jeke, Emmaculate Msipa, Nokuthula Ndlovu, Marjory Nyaumwe and Danai Bhobho during that COSAFA tournament, which was graced by then FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Legendary women’s football coach Rosemary Mugadza took charge of that historic Mighty Warriors side. – Sunday Mail
