Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
TINO Benza has credited his coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva for his transformation.
The Herentals forward has made huge strides in his play and is one of the key figures behind Herentals’ fairytale run this season.
With five goals to his name in all competitions, the 22-year-old forward is expected to lead the Herentals’ line in their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against leaders FC Platinum at Mandava this afternoon.
The Herentals Group of Schools and Colleges-owned side was the last team to beat FC Platinum in a league match back on April 30 at the National Sports Stadium.
The Zvishavane team was outplayed in that 1-0 result with the solitary strike grabbed by skipper Blessing Majarira.
Eyes will be fixed on that tie this afternoon with FC Platinum league rivals Chicken Inn and Dynamos, who will play their respective games tomorrow, hoping the Mutiwekuziva charges will put a stop on the table-toppers cruise ship.
Herentals will climb into the top-four if they beat the miners in their own backyard today.
“I am happy that I have improved both as a player and a human being. I should thank my coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva for the role he is playing in my transformation,” said Benza.
“His football intelligence has really helped me. I am not yet at a level I can say I am now there, no. I should keep on pushing, put in the work every day and every hour. I should always try to improve both my physicality and my mentality. That is what makes me improve even better.
“My teammates and my father (Innocent) have been amazing.”
He said FC Platinum are a big team but his club was prepared to take them head on.
“Of course, FC Platinum is a big club, they have won the league on several occasions and they are also the favourites to win this season. But, look, we are Herentals. We are ready to tackle them; we can match them anywhere. The match will be difficult, but we will try to come out victorious at the end of the day.
“We are determined to finish the season in the top four and that will only happen if we win our own games including this one against FC Platinum. We have beaten them before and there is nothing that can stop us from doing the same this time around.”
The Students can spend at least 24 hours in the top-four if they win today as the race to finish the season on a high hots up.
Ngezi Platinum Stars, who are fourth on the table, face the Harare City hurdle tomorrow at the National Sports Stadium while fifth-placed Highlanders will play Chicken Inn the same day at Barbourfields.
Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v Manica Diamonds (Nyamhunga); Tenax v Black Rhinos (Sakubva); Harare City v Ngezi Platinum Stars (NSS); Bulawayo Chiefs v Bulawayo City (Luveve); FC Platinum v Herentals (Mandava).
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Highlanders (B/F); Cranborne Bullets v CAPS United (Sakubva); Dynamos v Whawha (NSS); Triangle v Yadah (Gibbo).