Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub Blackrock 0-0 Highlanders
HIGHLANDERS’ Munhumutapa Cup campaign ended in stunning fashion yesterday after Division One Southern Region side Blackrock held the Bulawayo giants to a goalless draw before winning 5–3 on penalties at the Colliery.
Andrew Mbeba emerged as the unlikely villain after his opening spot-kick was saved by Blackrock goalkeeper Alfred Phiri, handing the underdogs a famous victory and a place in the last 16.
Highlanders had entered the contest as overwhelming favourites, but Blackrock refused to be bullied, producing a spirited and disciplined display to frustrate their more fancied opponents for 90 minutes.
The upset was even more remarkable given that Highlanders’ developmental side, Bosso 90, have often had the better of Blackrock in previous meetings.
But yesterday was a different story.
Blackrock came out firing and immediately matched Highlanders for intensity, while their organised defence ensured the visitors found little room to operate in the final third.
Rainsome Pavari had Highlanders’ first real opportunity in the fifth minute, but his effort was kept out as Blackrock weathered the early pressure.
The match quickly developed into a physical battle, with Blackrock captain Tobani Ncube booked in the 10th minute before Mahachi followed him into the referee’s notebook a minute later.
Highlanders struggled to impose themselves as the opening-half intensity gradually subsided, although Elphany Gwavava and Mongameli Tshuma produced occasional flashes of quality.
Neither side could break the deadlock before half-time.
Highlanders returned from the break with renewed urgency and began to pin Blackrock back, but the home side’s backline stood firm.
Mahachi won a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box, giving Highlanders a golden opportunity to finally breach the Blackrock resistance.
Mbeba took responsibility, but Phiri produced the save of the match to keep out the defender’s effort and preserve the hosts’ clean sheet.
As the minutes ticked away, Highlanders became increasingly desperate, throwing more men forward, but Blackrock refused to crack.
The final whistle confirmed what had looked increasingly likely, penalties would decide the tie.
And from the spot, Blackrock were ice-cold.
Masikati, Chibatamoto, Mheremombe, Taruvinga and Chuma all converted to give the hosts a perfect five from five.
Mbeba, however, failed to match their composure, with Phiri denying his attempt.
Adegoun, Ngoma and Tshuma scored for Highlanders, but the damage had already been done.
Blackrock celebrated a stunning 5–3 shootout victory, while Highlanders were left to contemplate one of the competition’s biggest shocks.
The victory was no fluke, according to Blackrock coach Tinashe Doriro, who revealed that his team had gone the extra mile in preparing for the giants.
“We fully prepared for the match and even watched their game against Caps United,” Doriro said.
Highlanders coach Benjamin Mwaruwaru admitted his team had been second best where it mattered most.
“We were second to the ball and our opponents showed more zeal to win than us,” he said.
For Blackrock, it was a day to remember — a lower-league side knocking out one of Zimbabwe’s biggest clubs through sheer discipline, determination and nerve from the penalty spot.
Highlanders, meanwhile, will be left wondering what might have been had they shown the same hunger as their unfancied opponents.
Blackrock now join Hwange in the next round of the Munhumutapa Cup.
If football is about money, why don’t these big teams take the Munhumutapa tournament with a MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS as prize money seriously? This is ten times a club earns for winning the league. I would fire a coach there and then if my team lost such a match to a lower division side. This is big money that can transform the entire club. Coaches of Dynamos, Highlanders and TelOne should have been fired on the spot yesterday. It’s not acceptable for a team to lose a match that has a million dollar prize and act like it lost a pre-season friendly.