Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira [email protected]
BLACKROCK may have seen their Munhumutapa Challenge Cup journey come to an end, but coach Tinashe Doriro believes the Division One side has emerged stronger, more confident and with a growing reputation on the national football stage.
The club’s historic run ended in the Round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to Premier Soccer League giants FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium. Despite the loss, Doriro says his youthful squad has every reason to be proud of what they achieved.
For a team only in its second season in Division One, reaching the last 16 of the country’s premier knockout competition marked a significant achievement and a major step forward in the club’s development.
Along the way, Blackrock claimed the scalp of Highlanders before earning a showdown with another top-flight heavyweight in FC Platinum, providing players with invaluable experience against some of the country’s best teams.
“It was quite a remarkable journey in the history of our club. We are so much happy for reaching this milestone, which is the round of 16 of the Munhumutapa. The history is huge, it’s big for our club,” said Doriro.
“Because it’s our second season here in Division One, but we were able to play against two Premier League teams, Highlanders and FC Platinum. It was a good experience for my boys, our coaches, the technical team, the owners and the fans.”
The victory over Highlanders proved to be one of the defining moments of Blackrock’s campaign.
According to Doriro, the giant-killing result not only boosted the players’ confidence but also enhanced their profile and value as emerging footballers.
He said supporters played a vital role throughout the journey, travelling with the team and helping create unforgettable memories at some of Zimbabwe’s most iconic football venues.
Doriro also praised the club’s sponsors for their support, particularly for facilitating a week-long training camp in Filabusi, which allowed the players to focus fully on preparations and strengthen team unity ahead of the knockout fixtures.
However, Blackrock’s cup campaign ended under unusual circumstances, with Doriro unable to take his place on the touchline against FC Platinum.
The coach was in Harare attending CAF B commitments and was therefore unavailable to oversee the team’s preparations and match-day duties.
Despite his absence, Doriro refused to use it as an excuse for the defeat. Instead, he offered a measured assessment of the team’s performance, saying he needed a complete review before drawing firm conclusions.
From the reports he received, Blackrock competed well, particularly after the break, but were ultimately punished for costly lapses in concentration.
“Against FC Platinum, we made two silly mistakes. We made mistakes that were avoidable and we need to control that, we need to manage that, because when you don’t manage that against a top team like FC Platinum, they always punish you,” he said.
The defeat also highlighted the difference in experience between the two sides.
Doriro revealed that six players in the squad were under-trained, while several others were below the age of 23, making the club’s run to the last 16 even more impressive.
Developing young talent remains at the heart of Blackrock’s philosophy, and Doriro believes the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup has accelerated that mission.
“Our business is to market our players, is to further develop them for local and international markets,” he said.
The coach said the club’s performances in the competition have already attracted interest from agents, coaches and rival clubs keen to monitor some of Blackrock’s emerging talent.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the cup run, however, is the growing belief within the squad that they can hold their own against established Premier Soccer League opposition.
Throughout the tournament, Blackrock remained committed to their football identity, built around possession, controlling matches through the ball and creating attacking opportunities through structured play.
Doriro believes the lessons learned against Highlanders and FC Platinum will now serve the team well as they refocus on their Division One campaign.
“We have gained a lot of followership, we have gained a lot of people that are admiring our team, and even our fans grew. Now, we don’t look down on ourselves. Now, we know that there is a task that is at hand.”
That task now centres on strengthening the club’s academy structures and expanding its scouting network to ensure a steady pipeline of young talent capable of progressing into the first team.
While the cup dream may be over, Blackrock leave the competition with something far more valuable than a place in the quarter-finals: belief, recognition and a clearer vision of what the future can hold.
