dyton mupawaenda
Bruce Chikuni
HERENTALS are enjoying their longest unbeaten run in the Castle Lager Premiership which they have stretched to 10 games.
They were held to a 1-1 draw by Chegutu Pirates last weekend.
The Students’ coach, Paul Benza, has done well in turning the club’s fortunes around following a nervy start to the campaign.
It left some asking why the club’s leadership let Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva join Ngezi Platinum, as an assistant coach.
But, Benza who came close to winning the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League three times with the team’s developmental side, never cursed his luck.
He kept insisting that the Students were in the transition period as they registered just four points in their opening five fixtures.
Their last defeat came at the hands of Manica Diamonds when they stumbled to a 1-2 loss.
Benza’s troops have now gone to play 900 minutes of action without defeat.
It’s the best unbeaten run they have managed since securing their top-flight league status in 2018.
Benza, the coach, is proving beyond reasonable doubt his ability to take the Students to greater heights.
He explained why he assigned the team’s star boy, Tino, who is also his nephew, to a new role.
“I wouldn’t want to take credit for this milestone because I believe it’s the players who have worked very hard to avoid defeat.
“Tino has made it easy for the team in both attack and defence, considering his speed in attack and in defence.
“I’m more concerned about Tino proving assists because I’m playing him in the wide areas and want him to have the defensive realisation first then, next, he will resort to his usual attacking role,” said Benza.
Tino has appeared a different player lately as he is starting to flex his ability to break attacks when out position.
“He has always been the vice-captain before I became the head coach and I didn’t change anything because it was coach Mutiwekuziva who first saw his leadership qualities.
“Tino is a key member for the team and he is enjoying a good run.
“My promotion from the developmental side into our senior side has not given me much to think about because the majority of our players graduated from our Under-19 side and it has been easy working with these guys because we have been together for as long as I can remember,” he said.
A tough test awaits them when they host the champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro tomorrow.
Online Reporter