Benza targets strong finish

Herentals host Bulawayo Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium for their penultimate game of the season before finishing off the season with a Harare derby against Caps United.

Herentals College FC forward Tino Benza is confident that they can put up a strong finish to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and claim a spot among the top four.

The Harare-based side currently sit in sixth place with 48 points from 32 matches, and four points behind fourth-placed Highlanders, who have amassed 52 points thus far.

On Sunday, Herentals’ top-four aspirations suffered a massive dent after they lost 2-1 to Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.

It was The Students’ third loss in their last five matches while they have won the two matches during the same period.

But Benza, who has been one of Herentals’ top performers this season, believes the dream is still on and they can win the last two matches of the season.

“Our results have not been very good lately, but I still believe the boys have what it takes to win the last two matches and help us reach our target of finishing in the top four. That has always been the goal and I still believe we can achieve it,” Benza told NewsDay Sport.

“I think we have done very well this season but we have not been as consistent as we would have wanted to be. We had a good start to the season and then we dipped in form a little bit and then improved in the second half of the season.

“But the fixture congestion has been crazy in the last month or so and that may have affected our performance. We also wanted to win the Chibuku Super Cup this season after reaching the final last year but it was not to be.”

Herentals host Bulawayo Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium for their penultimate game of the season before finishing off the season with a Harare derby against Caps United.

Benza, who was one of the Soccer Star of the Year finalists last year, has been the driving force behind Herentals’ performances this season, scoring six goals and providing 10 assists.

He was the Chibuku Super Cup top scorer last season while he was voted as the club’s best player.

It will not be a surprise if he makes it among the country’s best footballers yet again.

However, his focus is solely on helping Herentals finish the season strong.

“I am not thinking about individual accolades at the moment. I just want to help the team achieve its targets in the remaining matches,” Benza said.

“But I am happy with my contribution to the team this season. I feel I did a lot better than last year and that is all I want, to be improving all the time.”

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