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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
TINO Benza did not become a footballer by design.
He was a roving prop as he honed his rugby skills at Peterhouse School.
Although the Herentals striker played football, especially when back on holiday in Harare, it was on a bit-part basis.
“My dream was to play rugby at a professional level. It’s a sport I grew up playing and I was an important member of my school team at Peterhouse,” said Benza.
“I loved football though and I played the game here and there since I would spend most of my time playing rugby.
“I also loved other sports but truly speaking, I never thought I would end up as a professional footballer”.
Everything changed when Benza’s father, Innocent, with whom he plays alongside in a first for the country for a father and a son to play in the same team, turned a social club Herentals into a professional outfit in 2015.
Then only 15, Tino would be drafted into the team as his father was determined to see him grow into a star of this game.
“Yes, Tino was keen on playing rugby while at school. He was a very good player and we always encouraged him to keep the focus,” his father Innocent said.
“He was so passionate about rugby and we made sure he got all the support he needed to realise his dreams.
“But we also played football together at a social level and I was blown away with how talented he was on the football field.
“I thought he would become a better athlete in football than in rugby but I didn’t stop him from playing the latter.
“When we joined the Northern Region Division One Soccer League, we registered him as one of our players”.
Meanwhile, Tino was still weighing his options while playing both sports.
“At that point, I started developing interest in football. I was playing at a higher level and doing fine too. It was a game that it didn’t know I would be able to play with such conviction,” said Tino.
“A point reached where I couldn’t play both games. So I decided to pursue football instead of rugby.” And the decision has paid hefty dividends for the lanky forward.
After writing his own piece of history by becoming the youngest goal-scorer in the history of the Castle Lager Premiership as a 17-year-old in 2018, Benza has grown to become the most famous figure in the local league.
He became the first Herentals player to make the Soccer Stars calendar this year following an impressive term with the Students.
Benza was so popular with selectors after netting four goals for Herentals in the league while weighing in with 12 assists, the joint most in the league.
And just to confirm his popularity, the fans also voted, overwhelmingly for the gangly striker as he scooped the inaugural Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s Fans’ Choice Award.
It was heartwarming to see the youngster sharing a long embrace with his father, who influenced him to choose football ahead of rugby, on that fruitful awards night in Harare a fortnight ago.
“I was like, so this is it. I chose football over rugby and these are the first fruits. I am humbled with the recognition that I got from the selectors and the fans,” Tino said.
“I cried when hugging my father. He has been there for me from Day One. He is the one who identified my football talent at a time when I was busy concentrating on rugby. I am very thankful to everyone at Herentals and the football fans in general.
“The awards will challenge me to do even better in the field of play”.
Benza, who was also the Chibuku Super Cup top scorer with two goals, also bagged the club’s Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year at Herentals.
Several clubs, including some lower league teams in England, are understood to be chasing after Benza’s signature.
Online Reporter