Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HERENTALS, as they have religiously done over the years have been quiet amid the current excitement created by the razzmatazz in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League transfer market.
Teams have stuffed up both their technical and playing personnel as they calibrate for the upcoming season.
Several of them have even placed themselves as top contenders for the championship have made sweeping changes to their teams with 14 of the 18 clubs changing coaches.
But Herentals have remained still, retaining almost every player they had from last season.
They only dropped three from the squad, John Zhuwawo, Godfrey Mukambi and Blessing Majarira but in reality the trio hardly played a part last season.
And to ensure the three’s places are taken, the Students have signed former CAPS United winger Wayne Makuva and they have welcomed back one of the best Number 10s in the country Milton Chimedza who was on loan at TelOne last year.
This has been their workbook all along with sheer club culture and a defined philosophy always carrying the day for them since they climbed the ladder to the Premier Soccer League in 2018.
Before Scottland’s historic Premiership win in their top-flight debut in 2025, Herentals were always the best team in Harare, towering over giants CAPS United and Dynamos as well as now relegated Yadah since the resumption of football after COVID-19.
They have structures in place where they pick impressive players, elevating them to their first team in the PSL.
Coach Paul Benza said: “We have a culture and you know culture runs in the blood. We don’t change our culture just to suit the next person who doesn’t have the same background as us.
“We have a fully-fledged academy that has more than 500 prospects.
“The academy feeds into our several professional clubs in the second division. Those that impress across, will be elevated to the second team in Harare that train, here and there, with the Premiership team.
“And when you standout, then you take a step up. That’s what we believe in rather than recycling players. Our players in the top-flight who fail to stand the heat up there can also go down to these teams for re-calibration.
“That’s how we see football at Herentals. It’s all about building culture and philosophy. We know for certain that our team will be competitive this coming season just like we have been the seasons before.
“What we simply want to do is better our seventh place this year.”
Through this system, the Students have churned out several players into the whole local football ecosystem.
They are the ones who moulded and gave this country players like Juan Mutudza, Carlos Mavhurume, Davison Marowa, Prince Tafiremutsa and Darlington Marowa among others.
And they have now promoted seven youngsters from their Division Two teams into their top-tier side.
“We have taken five players from our Under-20 side in Harare, one from Herentals Victoria Falls and from Herentals Mutasa.
“The thing is Herentals College has firm roots from the Herentals Group of Colleges and Schools that owns the team.
“We know we always give a chance to players who wouldn’t have had that chance to play in the PSL under some circumstances. That’s what they always fight for the badge for they know Herentals is home,” added Benza.
