Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
THE oldest player in the domestic Premiership, Innocent Benza, who has smashed countless records at 54, yesterday marked yet another milestone when he played his 200th game in the top-flight.
There was no happy ending to it all, though, as Herentals lost the cagey match to unbeaten Ngezi Platinum, who found the goal that mattered most, through the boot of Marvellous Mukumba early in the second half.
The win took the Mhondoro miners to 14 points, a point shy of leaders CAPS United and third behind Dynamos on the log standings, after six match days.
Ngezi have defied expectations in a season where indicators were showing the other direction given they are a team currently banished by FIFA from any transfer business.
But they have been disciplined with their young players showing up under the guidance of Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa and stopping even the best teams in the league including champions Scottland and FC Platinum.
Yesterday’s game was a bit different with Benza’s 200th cap as the punctuation.
Interestingly, it was Mutiwekuziwa, who gave Benza his debut, when he was 6 then, in a season Herentals made their bow in the top-flight on March 17, 2018, and ironically the match was against Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Herentals lost that match 2-0 at Baobab. And interestingly Benza hit the 200th mark against the same team but this time Mutiwekuziwa was sitting on the opposite dugout.
“I am happy with this milestone despite the defeat,” said Benza.
“It was a good afternoon for me. I played the first half and our team was okay. It’s unfortunate we ended up losing the game.
“But look, it was a good feeling to play my 200th match facing the same team that I faced on my Premiership debut and facing the coach who gave me my first cap.” Benza even requested to pose with Mutiwekuziwa in a display of unfiltered love between the two.
Mutiwekuziwa was happy to see Benza clocking the milestone while celebrating his team’s victory.
“Time flies,” said Mutiwekuziwa.
“I gave Benza his Premiership debut, and now he is already 200 games old.
“I am happy to see him playing. I know his dedication and commitment to the game. “Coming to the game against Herentals, well I am very happy.
“Herentals have always been our bogey side and we came here looking to rewrite history.
“I am extremely happy with this win.”
The match started in a high tempo with both sides eager to draw first blood.
But it eventually fizzled to a cagey midfield battle with scoring chances coming few and far between.
Benza could have come out of the game with an assist but his trademark outside-of-the-foot pass was wasted by Prince Mahembe.
At the opposite end, Ngezi thought they had broken the ice but the effort was flagged for offside.
The second half started pretty much as the first had finished.
But Ngezi got an opportunity down the right, substitute Orlando Zvavarevi squaring the ball up and Mukumba fired in what turned out to be the winner.
Herentals coach Paul Benza lamented the lapse in concentration on the part of his defenders but praised his brother Innocent for the 200th game.
The Students aren’t too far off the leading pack with seven points.
