After exactly four years, a 50-year-old striker finally managed to score in Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League.
Last season the 50-year-old club owner and player said his dream is to retire after winning an elite league title.
Hopes were high that he would win the 2022 Chibuku Super Cup, but his team, Herentals, lost to Bulawayo Chiefs in the final.
This season Herentals started on a low note and are yet to produce the form that helped them reach the final of the cup competition.
HOW THE 50-YEAR-OLD IS DEFYING ODDS
And amidst their struggle for consistency, the oldest player in the Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League, Innocent Benza finally scored.
However his first half goal was not enough to help his team win the match as they lost 2-1 to Hwange.
The 50-year-old striker had last scored on 26 August 2018 when they drew 1-1 with Black Rhinos.
Interestingly, he has featured in almost every match since the team was promoted to the elite league.
This season he has played in all the ten matches played so far in Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League.
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva said the 50-year-old striker has been an inspiration to the team.
“Very poor from us. It’s always frustrating when the opponent comes from behind to steal the match. It’s uncharacteristic of us.
“We had a good goal from our striker [Innocent Benza]. He is a very important part of our team.
“And the goal is important to him as much as it is important to us despite that we went on to lose the match.
“We hope he will continue to inspire us and everyone to defy the odds. As a team we are disappointed with the result but we hope to rise up in the next match,” he said.
Besides Herentals FC which competes in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, the 50-year-old striker owns two other teams.
These include the Herentals Under-19 that competes in the Northern Region Division One league.
He also owns a female football team, Herentals Queens competing in the women’s football league.
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