Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
HERENTALS coach Paul Benza is finally getting the best out of the tactical structure he has been trying to build since the start of the season.
Benza, who last season led The Students to fifth in the league, their best finish since their promotion in 2018, has this term been battling to build a passing philosophy at the club.
That meant shifting some players, including captain Tino Benza, from the roles they had become accustomed to. The 24-year-old has always played a spearhead role in the Herentals’ attack where he was averaging five goals per season.
But since the appointment of Paul, his uncle, as coach, Tino has been turned into a winger, sometimes occupying the right channel or on the right flank. However, injuries stalled him last year and he could only play 16 games, scoring once and providing seven assists.
He was erratic early this year, thanks to the nagging injury but once he fully recovered at the start of last month, Tino has transformed himself into the key man. He is looking quite at home on the wing and has already banged in three goals and provided five assists for the Students.He has been flying this month where he has helped Herentals collect 11 points out of a possible 15 in five games.
Tino has three assists and two goals over this month, including his fine header against MWOS in their 1-1 draw at Ngoni on Saturday, and has his uncle to thank for the shift. “I think the coach deserves most of the credit. He literally forced me to shift positions. I think he saw something that fits my play,” said Tino. “He has always encouraged me to work hard and be the best winger I can become.
“We often do extras and I am getting used to the system of play at the team right now.
“I am happy to have picked such good form throughout July. I hope to continue working very hard and keep improving. At the end of the day, if we click as a team, we will go far.”
With 35 points in 23 games, Herentals are not far off the pace with 11 games still to play.
“Firstly I am happy that my team is now playing according to how I have always wanted them to play,” Paul said. “And seeing Tino thriving in a new role away from his usual centre-forward position makes me even happier. The whole team is helping each other out and we haven’t shifted our target to finish in the top four.”
