Benza revels in debut PSL season

Don Makanyanga

Zimpapers Sports Hub

AFTER handing Herentals its best finish in the Premier League in his debut season as head coach, Paul Benza has described 2024 as a learning curve and is eager to do better in the coming season.

The Students finished fifth on the final log standings with 49 points, the best they have achieved since their debut appearance in the top flight in 2018.

Coincidentally the best finish has coincided with Paul Benza making his debut coaching season into the top flight.

Having assisted Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva in the past seasons, Paul was promoted to fill in the shoes.

He did not disappoint as he helped the Students to their best finish in six years.

Despite achieving the feat, Paul has described the 2024 season as a learning curve for him.

“It was more of a learning curve, especially taking charge of the team for the first time as head coach in the Premier League.

“And again, especially considering that I took the team the last week before the season started, it was more of a learning curve and I am happy that we managed to finish in the top ten more so in the top five,” said Paul.

The Herentals head coach praised his charges and believes that after learning the ropes in the top flight his target will be to better the team’s position in the next season.

“I am happy with the boys’ performance and going into next year, I’m going to work very hard to at least improve our position,” he said. Having finished fifth on the log standings, Herentals were the top team in the capital finishing above Dynamos (8), Caps United (9), and Yadah (12) Paul describes the development as positive going forward.

“It’s also very important for us, especially considering that in Harare we have big guns like Dynamos and Caps United, comparing us to those teams and also finishing either on top of them or just at par with them is a good thing for us.

“It also shows that our boys are doing very well, though we could have finished in the top four as we needed, being better than the other teams in Harare, it’s a positive for us,” said Paul.

Herentals team owner and player, Innocent Benza believes the coming in off Paul signals good times ahead for the club after the record finish. “It has been a great season for us.

“We wanted to go for continuity hence we brought in Paul, and I am glad he has done well in his first season.

“With this record finish, I am optimistic that we will do better in the season and we are fully behind him in his endeavours to take the club to another level,” said Innocent.