Blessing Makunike
| Blessing Makunike | |
|---|---|
| Born | Blessing Makunike January 24, 1977 Mutare |
| Died | March 13, 2004 (aged 27) |
| Nationality | Zimbabwe |
| Other names | Yogo Yogo |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1997 - 2004 |
| Employer | CAPS United Football Club |
| Parent(s) | Martin Makunike (father) |
| Relatives | Simba Makunike (brother),[1] Tsitsi Makunike[2] |
Blessing "Yogo Yogo" Makunike was a former CAPS United Football Club and Zimbabwe national team midfielder who died in a tragic accident coming from a soccer match in Bulawayo.
Background
Blessing Makunike was born on January 24, 1977.[3] He was born to Martin Makunike [4] in Umtali, Rhodesia (now Mutare[2] and had siblings Simba Makunike[1] and Tsitsi Makunike[2]
Career
Yogo Yogo as he was popularly known by the Makepekepe fans started playing for CAPS United Football Club in 1997 at 20 years of age and would go on to spend the bulk of his playing career with the club, save for a brief stint with Serbian side FK Javor in the half season of 2003.[3] He would win a host of trophies with the club and was considered to be of great contribution to the clubs success during his playing era.[4] In early 2004, he would attend trials with English Premier League side, Arsenal, but would pass on before the finalisation of the offer.[4] At the time he was also being pursued by South African Jomo Sono, on behalf of his premier league club Jomo Cosmos F.C.[5]
Club Trophies Won
During the time of his playing at CAPS the team would go on to win a host of trophies:
- 1997 - Zimbabwe Independence Trophy[6]
- 1997 - Castle Cup
- 1997 - BP League Cup
- 1998 - Castle Cup
- 1998 - BP League Cup
- 2002 - BP League Cup[7]
National Team
He rose through the national team ranks until he made his debut for the national team at age 21.[3] He would play an official 14 games and score 2 goals for his country[8] To note is that Zimbabwe would win all 4 of its World Cup qualifiers that Makunike would play in.[9]
Tragic Death
Blessing Makunike died in a tragic car accident which also claimed the lives of two fellow teammates, Shingirai Arlon and Gary Shoko and other two supporters that they were travelling with. The accident happened when Makunike and teammates got into a private car with two of their supporters instead of travelling with the rest of the team on the team bus. It is said that the car they were travelling in crushed before catching fire and burning all the occupants on board to death.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Zim players killed in crash, News24, Published: 15 Mar 2004, Retrieved: 8 Jun 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 “Yogo-Yogo” memorial gala, The Zimbabwean, Published: 25 Feb 2014, Retrieved: 8 Jun 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Fitzgerald Munyoro, Caps United Remembers “Arsenal’s Direct” Blessing Makunike, Southern Eye, Published: October 2, 2013, Retrieved: February 19, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bernard Chiketo, Yogo Yogo remembered, DailyNews, Published: 30 Sep 2013, Retrieved: 8 Jun 20154
- ↑ Facebook post: Tinashe Chinyere, Blessing "Yogo Yogo" Makunike Facebook page, Published: 16 Feb 2014, Retrieved: 8 Jun 2015
- ↑ CAPS United F.C., Wikipedia, Published: Not Applicable, Retrieved: 8 Jun 2015
- ↑ Hans Schöggl, Zimbabwe (and Rhodesia) Cup Winners, Published: 16 Oct 2014, Retrieved: 8 Jun 2015
- ↑ Steve Vickers, Zimbabwe mourns footballers, BBC Sport, Published: 14 Mar 2004, Retrieved: 8 Jun 2015
- ↑ Blessing MAKUNIKE, FIFA.com, Published: No Date Given, Retrieved: 8 Jun 2015
- ↑ Steve Vickers, CAPS players laid to rest, BBC Sport, Published: 16 Mar 2004, Retrieved: 19 Feb 2015
