HERENTALS captain Tino Benza is back with a bang, showcasing blistering form since his return from a significant injury layoff.
The 24-year-old forward recently scored his second goal of the season, a crucial contribution in Herentals’ dominant 2-0 victory over Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium.
This pivotal performance not only secured him the man-of-the-match award, but highlighted his successful battle to regain full fitness after a lengthy absence.
Benza’s season has been significantly impacted by an injury that sidelined him for numerous games, limiting his playing time across the first 19 matches.
Despite this setback, his recent display against Dynamos, which propelled Herentals to sixth place with 28 points, is a strong indicator of his recovery and renewed prowess on the field.
“I am happy to be back firing again,” Benza shared after the Dynamos win.
“I suffered some injury that sidelined me for quite a number of games and I struggled a bit when I returned.
“So getting to score my second goal of the season sort of releases some pressure valves which have been piling and setting me back.”
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The statement underscores the physical and mental hurdles he’s overcome to get back to his best.
While Benza had initially set an ambitious target of 20 goals for the season, he acknowledges that the injury has made that goal difficult to achieve.
However, his optimism regarding his fitness and scoring ability remains high.
“I had set myself a target of 20-plus goals this season. Well, I know it will be very difficult to hit that target at this juncture given how competitive the league is. But I still believe I can get double figures,” he stated confidently.
This adjusted goal of reaching double figures in the remaining 15 games is a testament to his steadily improving form and confidence post-injury.
Beyond his personal comeback, Benza also addressed Herentals’ overall performance.
He expressed satisfaction with the team’s victory against Dynamos, especially after a five-match winless streak.
“As Herentals, we are very happy to win a match having gone for the past five matches without a victory,” Benza said.
“We have been trying so hard to win matches, but somehow, we have always been coming short.
“But against Dynamos, our game plan worked really well and we hope to continue in that trajectory.”
Herentals boast one of the league’s strongest defences, having conceded just 10 goals in 19 games, second only to Scottland’s among the top six teams.
However, their attack has been less prolific, scoring only 14 goals, the least among the top six clubs.
Benza, who has often played as a winger this season, emphasised the need for the team’s strikers to improve their conversion rate to complement their solid defence.
“We are a club with their own ambitions and targets to meet this season and that demands a pro-active role from our attack,” he said.
“Last season, we finished in fifth place and we are gunning for something better than that this term . . . Our conversion rate has to improve going forward while we should also remain intact at the back.”
Looking ahead, Herentals will face defending champions Simba Bhora at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow, a match where Benza’s continued return to full sharpness will be crucial for The Students’ attacking ambitions.
