Blessing Makunike

Blessing Makunike (24 January 1977 – 13 March 2004) was a Zimbabwean international footballer.

Club career Makunike started his career in 1997 with Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League club CAPS United F.C., where he played until the end of the 2002 season. Together with his teammate, Leonard Tsipa, he then spent half a season with Serbian club FK Javor Ivanjica, where international Zimbabwean footballer Mike Temwanjera, together with other African players, helped them incorporate into the squad. However, he and Leonard went back to CAPS in the next summer, playing in the second semester of the 2003 Zimbabwean football season.

International career From 1998 to 2001 he played eight matches for the Zimbabwe national football team having scored one goal.

Car accident On 13 March 2004, Makunike, together with two other players, Shingirai Alron and Gary Mashoko, and two supporters, burned to death when their car hit the pillar of the bridge and caught fire, the greatest loss of lives in a single incident in Zimbabwean football.

Honours CAPS United Zimbabwe Premier League: 2004 Zimbabwe Cup: 1997, 1998, 2004 Independence Trophy: 1997