Dhlakama backs son ahead of debut

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

GREEN FUEL coach Rodwell Dhlakama has tipped his son Tanaka to flourish in the Premiership after his promotion into the Herentals senior team ahead of the 2024 season.

The 23-year-old was a shining beacon for Herentals’ development side, Herentals U20 in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One last season.

He was the Paul Benza charges’ top scorer with seven goals despite missing the last eight games of the term through injury.

The midfielder picked that sprain in a friendly between Northern Region Division One Select team and the Warriors at Ellis Robins. He caught the imagination of many after scoring a brace in a game that finished 2-2.

And the Herentals hierarchy have decided to elevate him into the senior squad that play in the Premier Soccer League.

“I have no doubt that Dhlakama will acquaint himself well in the Premiership. He is an intelligent midfielder who is attack-minded,” said Benza, who is also the Herentals senior team assistant coach.

“We looked at a number of factors in determining his promotion. He is a good holder of the ball and a good passer as well”.

Dhlakama will be expected to fill in the big shoes left by the departure of Davison Marowa to FC Platinum.

His father Rodwell, a veteran coach believes he will make a name for himself and possibly surpass what he achieved in his heydays as a Mutare United player.

“I am very happy to see him (Tanaka) getting a chance to play football in the Premiership,” said Dhlakama.

“As a father who is also into football, you get to feel very proud seeing your own son making progress.

“I am not his coach and those working with him have done tremendous work to ensure that he grows as a footballer.

“I haven’t worked with him in his football career as Herentals picked him while he was at Sodbury School.

“I will be happy to see him playing in the big boys’ league. I am sure he will prove why he has been promoted from the Herentals development life”.

Besides Dhlakama, Herentals have also promoted defenders Webster Dombo and Tinashe Mupumha as well as forward Silas Azet. They have also signed goalkeeper Reason White from Triangle with the goal minder coming in to replace Prosper Chigumba who is now a Goalkeepers’ coach at the club. Coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva said the priority was to retain the bulk of the squad that did duty last season.

“I am happy with the squad we had last season as we finished sixth on the log,” said Mutiwekuziva.

“We have sought to add more depth in the team by elevating some youngsters from our development side and also signing others from different teams. We want to be a more competitive outfit this coming season”.