The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
HERENTALS Under-20 gaffer, Paul Benza, won the battle of the Anza Quip coach of the month’s first recipients, when his charges overcame Arthur Tutani’s Simba Bhora in a Ruyamuro Northern Region Soccer League top of the table clash at Morris Depot on Friday.
Goals by Silas Azati and Salif Cheya either side of the break gave the hosts a 2-0 win that helped them dislodge the Shamva-based team at the summit of the Northern Region Division One log standings.
Benza, who was crowned the first Coach of the Month for the 2022 season, used the win to lash out at their adversaries, describing the game as an easy assignment because “Simba Bhora is an old peoples home”.
“It was an easy fixture for us.
“We were playing against a team that thought this is a boozer’s league (social league) where they thought they could come and score as many goals.
“Secondly they didn’t think that we were at home, and we had use the home advantage, and the ground is big especially for their old guys as they are using old people and you cannot expect a team with 10 old people to beat us hence to us it was an easy fixture,” said Benza.
Simba Bhora mentor Tutani, who clinched the February Coach of the Month award was also sarcastic in his post match interview.
“We created chances, but we did not bury them, we came to the party a bit late and I wish Herentals a happy journey to the Premier League.
“I do not want to comment about their delaying tactics, because maybe it is their strategy,” said Tutani.
Both Benza and Tutani received US$150 each for being named the coach of the month for January and February, respectively.
Herentals Kudakwashe Mukuwura was named January goalkeeper of the month, while Ngezi Platinum Stars forward Takunda Benhura had a double delight after scooping the January player and top goal scorer of the month accolades.
The awards for February belonged to Simba Bhora as they scooped three of the four accolades on offer.
Tinashe Balakasi claimed both player and top goal scorer of the month gong, while Black Mambas goalminder Learmore Jere was voted the goalkeeper of the month.
