At 50, Zim’s oldest PSL player will retire on one condition…
Zimbabwe’s oldest Premier Soccer League player Innocent Benza at 50, says he will only retire on one condition.
The 50-year-old Herentals Football Club owner, Benza, will play in the Chibuku Super Cup final when his side take on Bulawayo Chiefs at Barborfields stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday afternoon.
He was part of the team that eliminated ex-Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza and his FC Platinum in the semifinal.
“I feel very elated that l have managed to break the world record for being in the cup final at 50,” he said.
“We all live for achievements and the realisation of dreams, remember! It is so satisfying that at my age, I am still living up to my dreams of playing football.
“One should never let people set boundaries of what you can or cannot do.”
WHEN BENZA WILL RETIRE
Benza says he will only be at liberty to hang his boots after winning a major trophy in the elite league.
“I have faced a lot of negativities until today, but I am not moved. Had l been moved, l wouldn’t be here breaking the world record. Now I want to win something for this,” he added.
“It’s very fulfilling to be one of the outstanding teams in the league so far.
“We have had a very fair assessment of our team’s performance and we can confidently state that we have definitely grown bigger and much better.
“The impending Chibuku win will be the icing on the cake. It will simply be a reinforcement of how formidable the team is.
“It is also going to serve as an unveiling and exposure of the super soccer stars that the team has. The cup belongs to us, and we are not moved,” declared Benza.
Benza is currently one of the biggest football employers in Zimbabwe, with three competitive teams.
He also owns Herentals Under 20 which competes in the Northern Region Division One and Herentals Queens competing on the Women’s Northern Region league.
At Herentals, Benza plays alongside his son Tinotenda Benza who was recently voted amongst the season’s best eleven.
“The joy of playing alongside my son Tinotenda Benza can never be compared to anything in the world,” admitted Benza.
“It is undoubtedly every father’s dream to have a direct impact on their son’s career.
“With Tino, l have had the privilege to not only share with him the natural bond between a father and a son but l have managed to bond with him in an area of mutual interest which is the soccer field.”
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