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Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
OFTEN, HERENTALS player and director Innocent Benza is criticised for playing in PSL despite his advanced age.
At 54, Benza is the oldest player in a top-flight league and possibly across the world. But everything around him and Herentals right now defies logic.
They are currently third on the log with 28 points, the same points as log leaders Hardrock, who has a superior goal difference.
And Benza plays on.
Yesterday he said he is using the criticism he often receives to fuel himself up after playing a huge role in the Students’ 1-0 win over FC Platinum at Mandava on Sunday.
Benza, not for the first time this season, was the architect of the goal that downed the Zvishavane miners when he laid it onto Dreamer Liyeto, who buried the goal that would prove decisive at the sound of the final minute.
The victory meant The Eagles became the first team to beat FC Platinum at their home this season.
The Joel Luphahla’s side had last dropped a match at Mandava on October 18 last year; a 0-1 defeat to Midlands rivals TelOne.
“I am not a saint, but I am someone who is driven by passion for the game,” said Benza.
“I hear a lot of criticism about me being part of the team. I have now become used to all that. In fact, I am using that as a source of motivation.
“I am really happy that I am able to contribute positively for the good of the team.
“The match against FC Platinum was very tough. This is a team that is very hard to face, especially at their turf.
“And to be able to be the one to provide that assist is something I take pride in.
“I would like to thank our coach Paul Benza and the entire team, including my teammates and the fans, for always rallying me. They are my major source of strength.
“This is now my third assist this season. I hope I will also get to score goals of my own. But that’s never the priority as what matters most is the team.
“I ask myself hard questions every day. What have I done to contribute to the team? Those questions, and if I can do what I did against FC Platinum, that makes me happy.” Herentals have been slowly ticking the right boxes after going for the last nine games without losing a match and catching up with the leading pack in the league. Yet their coach Paul Benza has remained humble and modest.
“The aim is to do better than we did last year, nothing much,” he said.
“We are a team that plays as a unit. That’s our strength. Any player chosen to do duty for the squad can fit in because the philosophy is the same.
“It’s too early to say this is the target or what, but from the first day, we always said doing better than we did last year was the target.”
Online Reporter