Online ReporterInnocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE beauty of cup football lies in its unpredictability.
It is where giants are made to sweat, underdogs find belief, and small clubs get their moment in the spotlight.
For Black Rock, this is the biggest game in the club’s 22-year history.
A chance to test themselves against one of the country’s most decorated teams, who are now in their Centenary Year.
Black Rock coach Tinashe Doriro says the excitement is real, but the pressure is off.
The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, launched this year with a record-breaking US$25 million sponsorship over five years, has breathed new life into knock-out football by creating opportunities for lower division clubs to challenge Premier Soccer League heavyweights. With US$1 million awaiting the eventual men’s champions, every team still standing has plenty to play for.
Black Rock may be a division below Highlanders, but the hosts believe they have earned the right to dream.
Doriro insists his youthful side will not be overawed by the occasion.
“We are very excited. This is a milestone for our club, not only to play a top-flight side but one of the biggest teams in the country, which is Highlanders.
“We are really excited ahead of this game,” said Doriro. The coach revealed that his squad has an average age of just 22, making the tie a priceless learning experience for many of his players.
“We have a squad with an average age of 22. For most of these boys, this is an opportunity for them to shine. We know Highlanders have quality players, and they have a good side and will have fans behind them, but we will not put pressure on ourselves.
“We have to go there and play our normal game. Of course, there will be some changes to our approach, but we will stick to how we normally play and avoid giving ourselves pressure.”
Doriro has also worked to ensure the magnitude of the occasion does not overwhelm his players. “We have tried to talk to the players and say it’s just a game like any other game. This is an opportunity for the boys. We have been telling them that if you play well, your life can be changed.” Those words perfectly capture the magic of knock-out football.
For Black Rock’s young players, a strong performance against Highlanders could attract attention from top-flight clubs and potentially transform their careers.
For Highlanders, however, there can be no room for complacency.
Benjani Mwaruwari’s men arrive in Hwange as overwhelming favourites, backed by decades of success, a passionate travelling support, and a squad packed with Premier Soccer League experience. But cup football has often reminded favourites that reputations alone do not win matches. The Colliery has become one of the focal points of this year’s Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, with football excitement returning to the mining town as supporters prepare to witness another meeting between a football giant and an ambitious local side.
Black Rock will look to feed off the energy of the home crowd, while Highlanders know anything less than a professional performance could open the door to one of the biggest upsets of the competition.
