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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
TINO Benza feels Herentals are properly configured to tussle with the Premiership’s top order this season.
The Students have shrugged off a stuttering start to the current campaign to force their way up to ninth on the log with 18 points.
They are 11 points behind leaders Manica Diamonds with an outstanding fixture against Bikita Minerals coming this Saturday.
The Paul Benza charges have in previous seasons been heavily reliant on Tino’s brilliance in front of goal.
But with the 22-year-old given a slightly deeper role in the team’s creative engine this term, others have also stepped in to get the goals for the learners.
And the two time PSL People’s Choice award winner is loving every bit of it.
Tino has recorded four assists this season and he opened his goal account with a bullet header in Herentals’ 2-1 win over TelOne last weekend.
“As Herentals, we generally started the season on a low note as we dropped points. But everything is taking shape now,” said Tino.
“If you look at it, I mostly played as a centre forward. But this season I have been pushed back a bit.
“I am very happy with this changed role that has allowed me to play more as a creative mid-fielder.
“The team is just showing its depth with several players managing to put their hands up in terms of goal scoring.
“That is a very health sign on the part of the team.”
The 2022 and 2023 Soccer Star of the Year finalist scored seven goals and provided 10 assists last season and he says his aim is to surpass that this term.
“Obviously, as a player, I put the team’s interests before my own. I am trying hard, every game, to be a part of the team, as much as I can.
“If I need to retreat back to do defensive duties, I do that, if I am supposed to rush to the flank and get that cross, I do that.
“But I still believe I can get more goals than what I recorded last season.
“I am very keen to better those stats which I had last term.”
With the Premier Soccer League shelving action to pave way for the national team which will play in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South Africa next week, Benza and his teammates will have that outstanding league game to fulfil against Bikita at Rufaro this Saturday.
They will cut the gape between them and pacesetters Manica Diamonds to just eight with a win over Bikita Minerals.
“Bikita Minerals are playing very well and they have shown that they are a competitive outfit,” said Tino.
“They will obviously come to Rufaro searching for a win. But we are a team that is doing ver well at Rufaro. We will be at home and we will go out there to take the points.
“We need to be attentive of course. We need to throw everything into the game for us to win.”
Online Reporter