Chronicle Editor
Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herentals 1-0 Greenfuel
INNOCENT “IB9” BENZA was not in yesterday’s match day squad.
The Herentals striker and owner is reportedly nursing a minor injury and the club medical staff advised him to take some rest from their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter against Greenfuel at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
He, instead took time to put some finishing touches to his campaign as he eyes yet another piece of his intriguing history.
At 51, Benza is arguably the oldest man playing top-flight football in the world.
He could become the first man to be both a parliamentarian and a professional footballer at the same time if he wins the Mutasa Central seat in the country’s harmonised elections set for Wednesday.
And he couldn’t have asked for any better boost than having his club post an important league win over resurgent Greenfuel.
That it was his son, Tino who grabbed the only goal that made the difference put the icing on the cake for Innocent Benza.
Tino, who took his goal tally to five, fittingly dedicated both the win and the goal to his father.
“This is for you dad!
“We came into this match with one thing in mind that is to win the match for him,’’ Tino said.
“I am very happy we managed to do just that and this goal is for him. As Herentals, the aim is always the same.
“We want to be as competitive as we can as a team.
“Greenfuel is a very good team and they showed it today but we managed to grind the result.
“This set of maximum points is very important for our endeavours as a club. I am very happy for the team and everyone associated with this team,’’ he said.
Yesterday’s goal was a replica of the younger Benza’s equaliser against the same adversary in their reverse fixture at Gibbo four months ago.
Then, just like yesterday, Prince Chama flighted a corner in the second half and Tino connected with his right to rescue a point for his side with that match ending 1-1. But once he found the opener midway through the second half yesterday, there was no way back for Green Fuel.
“It feels great to have scored this winner given that I also rescued a point for my team when I scored the equalising goal in the first leg when we played the same team away.
“Hopefully this form continues and the boys remain inspired’’.
With yesterday’s win, Herentals took their points tally to 28 and dislodged struggling champions FC Platinum from sixth place on the log.
The Students are now 10 points behind leaders Highlanders who play Black Rhinos at Barbourfields today.
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa was elated with the win stressed the need for his charges to “keep their feet on the ground and keep the focus’’.
Online Reporter