Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DESPITE his much-coveted talent and rich football roots, Tanaka Chinyahara had to wait 11 years to make his Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debut.
The 30-year-old gifted central midfielder starred for Herentals, who held fancied Chicken Inn to a 1-1 draw at Rufaro last Saturday, on Match Day One of the 2026 season.
It might be early days yet, but his intelligent moves, ability to find spaces and close ball control won him the praise of Herentals coach, Paul Benza.
Although Chinyahara, who played deep in midfield, was substituted in the second-half, in a tactical move aimed at giving Herentals more attacking avenues, the pint-sized star had done enough to remind many of his formative years.
“It was a great feeling, making my debut in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after years of playing in foreign leagues.
“The standards have improved vastly. I also noticed that the movement of players is superb and I am sure 2026 will be a very competitive season,” Chinyahara told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
At just 19, Chinyahara was already making moves in Europe, signing for the then Danish Superliga side IK Hobro in 2015.
The Zengeza-bred central midfielder also turned out for Jammersbugt in Denmark before returning to Africa, where he featured for Witbank Spurs in South Africa and Red Arrows in Zambia. Along the way, a nagging ankle injury destabilised his career progress.
Chinyahara could have joined Dynamos around 2017, but that injury put paid to his bid to play for Zimbabwe’s biggest football club.
However, the diminutive midfielder has fully recovered and is now back in the country, trying to revamp his career with Herentals.
“It was tough dealing with that nagging injury.
“There were times I thought I would never play football again but here I am today, fulfilling my wish of playing in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
“I have fully recovered now and I am focused on helping Herentals achieve their goals,” added Chinyahara. Herentals finished seventh last season and were the best PSL side from Harare the previous term, when they were fifth.
