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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
HERENTALS are the team of the moment in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
They are on an eight-match unbeaten run.
The Students could have been well in the title mix had they started the season on a high.
Nevertheless, the Kumbirai Mutuwekuziva-coached charges are well on their way to finishing in the top-four should they maintain the momentum they have picked.
While they can practically only attain a top-four feat, Herentals can fancy their chances in the Chibuku Super Cup.
Having defeated last year’s finalists Ngezi Platinum in the first round at Baobab, the Students face Manica Diamonds in the quarter-finals at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Striker Tino Benza, whose brace floored Ngezi Platinum Stars in the first round, said his team should put their backs to the wall.
“The idea is not only to eliminate Manica Diamonds but it’s to win the tournament.
“We are having our best season and we should do justice to it by winning silverware.
“It’s not like we are saying we have already beaten Manica Diamonds, no, it’s actually a very difficult match for us.
“But, we have done enough to show that we are one of the strongest teams in the league and we can only justify that by winning a cup,” said Benza.
“We are fighting for every point in the league, we are doing well and we have gone for eight matches without tasting defeat in the league.
“That shows we are doing well but our charge was a bit late. We can only fight for a top-four place since the championship is practically beyond our grasp.”
Benza said Manica Diamonds are a tricky customer and his team ought to be focused.
“We need to be focused on the goal. Manica Diamonds are not easy opponts. They have proved they are a really challenging side to face in both the league and in the Chibuku Super Cup.
“They are one team which is always unpredictable. They have some of the best players in their fold in this league and we should be focused, know what we can and cannot do so we approach the match correctly.
“It’s a match we know we are down and out if we lose. It’s like a final and we ought to treat it as such.”
Benza, who has taken an early lead in terms of goal-scoring, having already notched two goals, said it wil be a dream for him if he wins the Chibuku Super Cup’s Golden Boot award.
The man, who has monopolised the Chibuku Super Cup Golden Boot accolade William Manondo, has failed to get any goals this time around.
His team CAPS United were eliminated in the first round by Black Rhinos.
Manondo is already dominating the scoring charts in the league and Benza is an inspired lot by the former Harare City striker’s achievements in the premium cup tournament.
“I should say William Manondo inspires me a lot. He has achieved a lot in the Chibuku Super Cup.
“I have a feeling I can also win the Chibuku Super Cup Golden Boot accolade, especially if we progress to the later stages of the tournament,” said Benza.
“But, for me winning the Golden Boot is not a priority.
“I value the team and if I can get the goals, then they are supposed to help the team and where I can, I should provide assists so that my team can win the trophy.”
Herentals’ match against Manica Diamonds open the last-eight encounters with Black Rhinos hosting Chicken Inn at Vengere while Dynamos play FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium and Highlanders facing-off against Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields on Sunday.
Online Reporter