dyton mupawaenda
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
INNOCENT BENZA has got wings.
And he can fly.
Turning 54 this year, the Herentals College FC president would ordinarily be more on the administrative side.
However, he is officially the assistant to Simba Dedza at the dominant Women Premier Soccer League side Herentals Queens.
Since undertaking to deputise Dedza back in 2022, he has seen “Vagoni Vebasa” winning the league title every season in the past three years.
What is more striking is the fact that the majority of the Student Queens players come from poor backgrounds.
At Benza’s insistence, those players — like Alice Moyo, Shyline Dambamuromo, Polite Mabika, Lindiwe Magwede and Maudy Mafuruse — have been taken in, trained and turned into big stars.
“Herentals Queens is a project to support girls from poor families, giving them a chance to change their stories.
“It’s a platform to have them showcase their talent and get recognised while earning a living. That is the reason we came up with the idea to form the club in the first place.
“I really enjoy coaching them and seeing them transform into the stars they have become.
“I am really happy to see them dominating the league. What I wanted originally was just to give them the stage — which would help them transform their lives and that of their families.
“But I see their determination helping them win trophies and being able to represent the country at continental level.”
But Benza is not confined to being Dedza’s second in command.
He has set and broken records in the Premier Soccer League, where he plays as a striker for The Students.
He played his 172nd Premiership match for Herentals when they hosted Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
That makes him the only player across the league to have played in each and every top-flight game since 2018.
That means Benza has never missed a single match for The Students since their promotion into the top-flight seven years ago.
He has never been red-carded. Additionally, his name has not appeared in the referees’ book. He is the oldest player in a top-tier league, not only in Africa but across the world.
But that does not mean he does not get into physical duels.
“I do get involved, a lot.
“If you closely follow our games, you will see that sometimes I even get injured after engaging in those tussles. I am a player and I always get involved. I get a lot of satisfaction in being in the thick of things when I am on the field of play.
“I do know my limitations; better still, I know my strengths. That’s the reason I enjoy the game and even get to score and assist goals,” he said.
Numerous critics have emerged, claiming Benza’s inclusion in the team is primarily because owns the club, rather than on merit.
But the perception often changes if one gets to watch him in action.
He has recorded an average of seven assists per season and manages his energy levels well.
But what is his secret? How is he still able to match some of the younger players on the field of play, some of whom he dribbles past with so much ease?
“I love football, I want to be honest.
“I grew up playing the game and I was very, very good. But instead of taking the football route, I decided to venture into business.
“Late on, I just decided to fulfil my childhood passion to play the game at the highest level.
“I am glad I have managed to do that and my team is actually very competitive,” added Benza.
“We have often finished the championship race in the top half of the table. Last year we were fifth on the log. In 2023 we were the Chibuku Super Cup runners-up.
“The progress is encouraging but the most important thing is that we are enjoying the ride. I am happy because I am feeling very energised. I am not even thinking about retirement at this moment.
“I have a personal coach, a nutritionist, a psychologist and our club gaffer, who also happens to be my brother, Paul. All these guys contribute to what you see me doing every week.”
Besides being the oldest player to make a premiership debut, when he was 46, Benza prides himself on being the oldest goalscorer in the league and oldest assist provider.
He also remains the only father to play alongside his son Tino at this level of the game.
Paul said Benza is easy to manage because of his dedication.
“It’s very easy to manage someone who is dedicated.
“My brother (Innocent) has some rare traits. He loves football and all he wants to do is to learn.
“He always talks about the game and he always wants to play,” said Paul.
“It’s very easy to manage his energy levels and make him fit in any situation because of his work ethic. He is very disciplined and that makes it easy to fit him in any formation.”
Benza is also the Member of Parliament for Mutasa Central and a member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport.
So, how does he balance all that?
“My schedule is very tight. I have to oversee my businesses. I don’t really delegate. I have to be in my constituency and I am often there. I should attend to Parliament business. There is still no problem.
“It all comes down to time management.
“For me, it’s all about time.
“I make sure that if I have to be in Mutasa for constituency business at 12.03pm, I am there.
“I also have a family and I am the head.
“So, I would say, it all comes down to time management. That’s basically about it.”
Despite being the oldest player in the league, Benza looks like he will shatter even more records in the months and seasons to come.
He has already taken social media by storm after nutmegging TelOne’s Kuda Nyakudanga in the opening weekend of the season.
Online Reporter