Marauding fullback Tinotenda Muringai made a surprising move at the start of the season when he opted to trade the lure of Caf Champions League football in Mozambique for a return to the domestic top flight.
After a successful two-and-a-half-year stint with União Desportiva do Songo (UD Songo), Muringai joined flamboyant league debutants Hardrock FC—and he hasn’t looked back.
The former Dynamos defender was a revelation in Mozambique, culminating in a historic league and cup double in 2025. Yet, despite ruling the roost north of the Limpopo, the 24-year-old felt a void that only a return to Zimbabwe could fill: the visibility required to wear the gold and green of the Warriors.
Now a permanent fixture in Kelvin Kaindu’s high-flying Kwekwe-based side, Muringai is already showing why he was so highly rated abroad.
With three assists in just seven matches—coming against seasoned outfits Chicken Inn, Herentals, and Agama—he has helped propel the Hardrock to second place on the log.
"It has been a while, so it's really good to be back. I had missed playing football at home," Muringai told The Sports Hub in an exclusive interview. "But football is football and the Mozambique league is almost similar to the local league, so it's easy to adjust. So far, it's been enjoyable."
The transition from the established UD Songo to a debutant side like Hardrock could have been jarring for some, but Muringai has embraced the blank slate nature of the Kwekwe project.
"As a footballer, you have to be ready for any new challenge or club because we change clubs a lot,” he said.
- Moza-based Muringai pleads for Warriors' chance
- Double Delight for Muringai... Former Dynamos ace rules Mozambique with UD Songo
- Muringai settles quickly at high-flying Hardrock
Keep Reading
“You have to quickly adapt. I am really enjoying being at Hardrock; it's a new team in the league, which means almost everyone is new in the team, including me. That is what has helped me to settle faster, and we are all working hard to build something special.”
Reuniting with familiar faces has also played a role in his seamless integration. Muringai noted his long-standing chemistry with teammates like Munashe Bamara, whom he played with at Friendly Academy at the U13 level, and Junior Makunike, a former teammate from his Dynamos days.
Hardrock currently sits on 16 points, level with leaders CAPS United, having secured five wins, one draw, and just one defeat. Today, they face a massive litmus test as they host former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Chahwanda Stadium this afternoon.
"We are second at the moment going into the match against Ngezi Platinum at home,” Muringai said.
“I am not surprised with where we are because it's just a reflection of the hard work we have been putting in. So the secret has been hard work and working together as a team,"
While his immediate focus is on today's clash, Muringai was candid about his ultimate motivation for returning home.
"The big dream remains to get a chance to play for the Warriors," he revealed. "I am happy that I am home now where the national team coaches can watch me play every week, unlike in Mozambique where no one was really following me. I will continue to do my best and when the time is right, I will be picked for the national team."
With a league winner's medal already in his locker from last season, Muringai is hungry for more silverware to justify his homecoming.
"Last year I won the league in Mozambique, so it would be special to win again here,” he said.
“With God all things are possible. But we have to put in the work to achieve it.
“This year I just want to do my best to help the team do well and possibly win trophies. The plan is to provide as many assists as possible and also score goals."
