Are The Students ready for graduation?

Sports Reporter

The past three seasons since Herentals debuted in the top-flight in 2018 have been a roller coaster.

Popularly known as “The Students” by their legion of fans, Herentals have had their fair share of good and bad times in the Premiership.

They were even on the verge of relegation in 2019 and needed a final-day win over Mushowani at Trojan Mine to guarantee their survival.

Club chairperson Tafadzwa Benza says it has not been easy for them in the elite league.

“When we joined the league in 2018, we finished sixth and went on to fight relegation the following year, and here we are, now eyeing our first trophy in the league. This has all happened in three seasons.

“It has been a great learning experience for us,” said Benza, who is a younger brother of club president and player, Innocent.

That great escape from relegation, during a season in which they were also caught up in a match-fixing storm, forced them to introspect.

“We suffered a lot from external and internal forces in the first two seasons.

“We were swayed a lot by
what people would say and what the media would write about us, and, as a result, administratively, if you are trying to heed
every statement that is said about you, it becomes difficult to
keep your eyes on the ball,” said Benza.

“We were not truly focused on staying in the league, hence our performances were up and down, and not consistent enough.

“That is something that we have started working on.”

In their bid to ensure a lengthy stay in the Premiership, Herentals launched a five-year strategic plan to become a football powerhouse.

Given the manner they have transformed themselves into a competitive outfit this year, Herentals believe their plan is bearing fruit.

“In 2021, we came up with a five-year plan to address those issues that I mentioned.

“For starters, we had lost a lot of players and our recruitment policy was poor, hence we made use of our developmental systems to ensure stability,” he said.

“We have six players in the PSL who have come through the system, and a good example of how it has paid dividends for us is when Avi Mataranyika got us the equaliser against FC Platinum in the Chibuku semis.

“We are looking forward to finishing the year well, with the possibility of lifting the cup, even making the journey that much sweeter.”

Herentals are targeting the Chibuku Super Cup and playing in the Confederation of African Football inter-club competitions.

“We want to be a powerhouse not only in Zimbabwe but also in Africa . . . obviously, getting there has its stages.”

So confident are Herentals, who play Bulawayo Chiefs in the Chibuku Super Cup final, that they are already looking beyond the final.

“We want to go into Africa and be the best. That is what we are looking forward to.”