THE 2025 Mozambican football season will forever be etched in the memory of Zimbabwean defender Tinotenda Muringai.
At just 24 years old, the former Dynamos stalwart has reached a career pinnacle, helping his side, União Desportiva do Songo (UD Songo), secure a historic league and cup double.
The Tete-based outfit asserted their dominance early, clinching the Moçambola (Mozambique league) title in spectacular fashion back in November.
They secured the championship with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Textáfrica do Chimoio, mathematically sealing the title with five matches to spare.
UD Songo’s run was nothing short of a juggernaut; the title-clinching match marked their 17th successive league win, propelling them to 56 points — a gap so wide that second-placed Black Bulls could not catch them even with games in hand.
This victory added the 2025 crown to the club’s previous triumphs in 2017, 2018, and 2022.
The icing on the cake arrived last weekend in the Mozambique Cup final.
In a tense encounter against rivals Black Bulls, the match ended 1-1 after regulation time. UD Songo showed nerves of steel in the subsequent penalty shootout, winning 5-4 to complete the first-ever domestic double in Mozambican football history.
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For Muringai, now in his third year at the club, the silverware represents the culmination of persistence and growth.
"It’s a great feeling," Muringai reflected. "It was my dream to win a trophy with UD Songo since I got here in 2023.
“We reached the final of the Cup twice in the last two years and lost, but this time around we won.
I am happy that we managed to make history as the first team to win a double in the domestic scene."
The Zimbabwean left-back has been a mainstay in a star-studded squad that includes South African legend Dominguez (Elias Pelembe) and prolific striker Luís Miquissone, who netted a hattrick in the league-decider to reach 14 goals for the season.
Muringai’s contribution to the double was not merely defensive. He enjoyed his most productive season in Mozambique to date, proving to be a potent threat on the overlap. The defender managed to find the back of the net twice and provided six assists throughout the campaign.
"I think I have grown and developed well here," Muringai noted. "As a foreigner, it’s not easy to come to a foreign land, play regularly, and win trophies. This is definitely my best season in this country and it’s fulfilling to contribute to the team’s achievements."
With the domestic mission accomplished, Muringai is already eyeing the CAF Champions League. While his first foray into the competition with UD Songo ended prematurely, he believes the current squad — bolstered by teammates like Yamikani Chester and Richard Mbulu — is ready for the big stage.
"I think this time around we are much stronger and we are looking forward to reaching the Group Stages," he said confidently.
Despite his success in Tete, the defender's ambitions remain global. Muringai remains vocal about his "big dream" of playing in Europe and, most importantly, earning a call-up to the Zimbabwean national team.
Given his current form and the history made this season, the Warriors' scouts will likely be keeping a very close watch on the man dominating the game north of the Limpopo.
