In what is tragic news, Shepherd Tichaendepi Makunura, Zimbabwe’s fielding coach passed away on December 15 at a hospital in Harare. He had been unwell for a prolonged period of time.
His health prevented him from being a part of the recently concluded T20 World Cup in Australia. Along with the aforementioned position, he was also serving as the head coach of the Southern Rocks.
He has featured in 5 first-class games, the last of which came in 2007 at Harare. His playing career was brought to a halt because of an injury following which, he decided to invest his energies in coaching.
He enjoyed a successful run with the Mountaineers as he won three consecutive Logan Cup titles between 2017 and 2019. He is the only Zimbabwean coach to achieve this milestone. He won the title again in 2020, this time around, with the Rocks. Before joining the senior men’s side, he also coached various age-group teams and Zimbabwe A.
Givemore Makoni, the managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket described Makunura as an unsung hero while offering condolences to his friends and family members.
“On behalf of Zimbabwe Cricket, our deepest sympathies are with his family, colleagues, and friends as they come to terms with losing such an affable and wonderful man”, he said. He went on to add that Makunura was a much-loved person who always had a positive attitude.
Makunura leaves behind his wife, Sinikiwe Mpofu, and two children. Mpofu has represented Zimbabwe at the international level and is currently the assistant coach of the senior women’s team.
Female Cricket expresses its deep condolences to Shepherd Tichaendepi Makunura’s family during this extremely tough time.