Benza smashes records

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
INNOCENT “IB9” Benza set a new record for the oldest player to feature in the domestic Premiership last week at 45 years, nine months and 29 days. He is one of the oldest players to ever play in the top-flight globally in a league led by Englishman Stanley Matthews who featured for Stoke at the age of 50 in 1965.

Although Japanese Kazuyoshi Miura, nicknamed King Kazu, is still active at 50 years, plying his trade with Yokohama FC, his team is in the second tier of the Japanese J League.

Other notable players are goalkeepers who include Marco Ballorta, who remains the oldest player to have featured in the Italian Serie A and UEFA Champions League in 2007, when he played for Lazio at the age of 43.
Benza also has one of his sons, Tinotenda (17), as his teammate.

What makes Benza’s case unique is the fact that he has not played football in any professional division before.
He actually took football as a hobby.
“I can safely say if confidence meets with passion, age can never be a limit. Passion drives an individual to move mountains,” he said.

“I have always been a soccer fanatic from a very tender age. Unfortunately, I realised my ability to take it to a professional level when age was not on my side.

“For the seven-year period prior establishing Herentals, I was playing soccer on a social basis.
“My son Tinotenda, is also one of the main reasons why I chose to form the club. He is a young boy with so much talent.
“The thought of being able to share the playing field with him in the Premiership was more than exciting. The other thing was that I found myself surrounded by incredibly talented players in the social matches which I used to play.

“It made me realise that I could potentially groom the talented players and help them realise their dreams.
“I will play a little longer provided my legs are still permitting. Soccer is part of me and I am still around for a little while.”
He said his team was in the league to stay.

“I want to assure our loyal fans that Herentals are in the league to stay. Winning has always been our culture and just one loss will not put us down.

“Our fans should come prepared for an exciting match,” he said.
Herentals have a date against Highlanders.