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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
AFTER being forced into a ‘bye’ while the rest of the Premiership teams opened their 2024 campaigns last week, Herentals get their season in motion against wounded CAPS United at Nyamhunga tomorrow.
The Students were scheduled to visit Eastern Region Soccer League champions but with the authorities taking their time to determine the kings from that chaotic league, that match had to be shelved to a later date.
It will be the first time that the Students will be playing in the league without their head coach for six years Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva on the bench.
The talented gaffer has been snatched by defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars where he is now second-in-command to Takesure Chiragwi.
Mutiwekuziva’s longtime assistant at Herentals Paul Benza has taken over the reins and will lead Herere against a Makepekepe side still smarting from their opening day 1-0 loss to Chicken Inn.
“It always feels good to be back doing what we love to do, that is playing football,” said Benza. Our opponents are already 90 minutes fitter than us having started their season last week. But football is always like that. My players are eager to compete against what is arguably one of the best teams in the country.
“CAPS United, on paper, have one of the strongest squads across the league. So we know we are playing a giant both by status and on the ground. We need to get our season to a flying start.
“I am confident that I will carry the team on my shoulders because I am not entirely new in the Herentals system. Actually, I have groomed most of the guys in the senior team because I have worked in the development system for more than 13 years.
“I am ready to lead the team into glory but we need to take it one game at a time. The players are ready and raring to go. We will be at Nyamhunga where temperatures are always very high but we are ready to do what we know best.”
Striker Tino Benza, who was Makepekepe’s tormentor-in-chief in the two teams’ first leg battle at the National Sports Stadium last season said he was ready to face the Green Machine, with whom he was also linked to join at the start of this year.
“A lot has changed between the time I sparkled against them last year and now,” he said.
“But let me say firstly, I am happy that football is back and we know we should start well for us to enjoy the season.
“We need to bring our A-Game though because we are facing a team with vast experience in their ranks. We need to play for each other, fight for the team and get bruised for the win.
“We didn’t start the season very well last year as we started by dropping points. That put a lot of pressure on our shoulders as the marathon rolled on.
“So we want to avoid the same scenario and do the best we can to win the match against CAPS United to set the tone for the season.
“CAPS United is one of the best teams around and we need to really put in the effort and focus on the task at hand.”
Herentals could throw in some of their new recruits including Webster Dombo, who was promoted from their development team as well as goalkeeper Reason White in tomorrow’s match.
Online Reporter