Benza to play on

HERENTALS director Innocent Benza has vowed to provide the Castle Lager Premiership with its oldest player in history next year when he turns out for his club.

Benza will be 45 next year, but says he has no plans to quit.

Herentals became the first Division One side to gain promotion into the Premiership after sealing top spot in the ZIFA Northern Region without kicking a ball on Wednesday.

The attacking midfielder will join the likes of Zvenyika Makonese and Brighton Chandisaita among old horses which have graced the domestic Premiership.

Speaking to The Herald yesterday Oliver Chirenga, the Herentals team manager, said Benza was not looking at quitting the game soon. And Benza confirmed just that. “I think I am still going strong and through hard work I will continue to play for the side. It has been two years of hard work and finally we are there.

“We will do our best in the Premier League and I don’t think my age will have any effect.

“It has always been my dream to play in the top-flight league and the opportunity has come now and so I don’t see myself retiring from the game,” he said.

Benza’s side joined the ZIFA Northern Region league in 2015 when they bought the franchise of Bindura United.

He recruited a number of young players into his team to bring the pace and energy needed to stand the heat in Division One.

Herentals have amassed 64 points from 27 games and can even have the luxury of losing all their outstanding fixtures as second-placed Blue Swallows, who have 42 points can only finish on 71, while third-placed Golden Valley are on 38 points.