Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE face of Zimbabwean football is changing with the influx of new investors and Herentals president Innocent Benza couldn’t be more thrilled.
The arrival on the top-flight stage of flamboyant teams like Scottland and MWOS, has, in a big way, transformed the local football landscape with crowds now creeping back to watch domestic Premiership action.
MWOS, who lead the standings at 37 points in 18 games, have redeveloped Ngoni Stadium into a 6 000-seater venue that is now a hub of choice for passionate Norton residents and those from the surrounding farms.
Some are also now regularly driving from Harare to Ngoni for MWOS’ matches.
Similarly, in Harare Scottland have taken the capital by storm.
The Mabvuku outfit have added flair to the Premiership game and they have since embarked on the construction of a state-of-the-art sports village in Ruwa that is nearing completion.
Scottland, owned by Mabvuku-Tafara legislator Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya are also renovating Mabvuku Number One Ground into a 10 000-seater facility with work scheduled to be completed inside the next 90 days. The club are leasing the ground from the City of Harare for the next 30 years.
And Benza, the biggest individual football investor in the country, said the heart-warming developments are encouraging and ought to be applauded.
Benza, a Premiership player at a record age of 54 years, bankrolls over 10 professional teams for both men and women along with an expansive academy that has over 300 budding players under its wings.
His Herentals Group of Schools and Colleges have since applied for a lease to develop Dzivarasekwa Stadium with work set to start immediately after the approval of the proposal by the Harare City Fathers.
“I am very happy to see all these respectable individuals and entities coming on board to support football.
“You know, football is a powerful tool for social cohesion and can be used to fight social menace and drug abuse,” said Benza.
“To see these individuals and corporates coming on board, pouring money towards the development of the game in the country is quite commendable.
“For me as an individual, I view this sport as something that can save millions from gliding into poverty. That is the sole reason I started Herentals which has now grown to become the institution that we are today.
“I feel so excited to see that there are other passionate individuals and entities out there who are at pains to see the game grow in this country.
“I feel like our football is changing for the better. Football is big business and can contribute significantly to the country’s GDP if run well.
“So, these strides can go a long way in helping the game attain the potential it possesses.” After becoming the first-ever player to play top-flight football across Africa at the age of 54, Benza said he will play on as long as his feet can carry him.
“I just love to participate while at the same time empowering all those youngsters across the Herentals football system. Playing the game at my age is both a blessing and a privilege.
“I am very happy because my team can also compete against the best in the league. I am still feeling good and will play on barring any injuries until my legs can no longer carry my body.
“But the most important thing for me is to make a positive change in the society through empowering the youth using football.
“I am very happy to see our Herentals products all over the place. I cannot be happier seeing others coming on board as well.”
