Dream of Zimbabwe’s 50-year-old PSL player Benza shattered |

Zimbabwe’s oldest footballer Innocent Benza’s dream of winning a top-flight league silverware was shattered following Herentals’ 0-1 defeat at the hands of Bulawayo Chiefs in the Chibuku Super Cup final.

Earlier, the 50-year-old club owner and player said his dream is to retire after winning an elite league cup.

However, his dream was put on hold as they succumbed to an Arthur Musiyiwa first-half goal.

BENZA PLAYED FIRST HALF

Benza was on parade in the first half. He was substituted at the break, paving the way for Davidson Marowa, with coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva hoping to speed up his team’s gameplay.

However, nothing changed as Chiefs held on to the slender lead to claim the R 1.3 million [USD 75 000] prize money. This was Bulawayo Chiefs’ first title since gaining promotion in 2018.

Commenting on Benza, coach Mutiwekuziva said: “He is our boss. He played with us to show us how much we must push. 

“We learn a lot from him because he is our father figure. Today he played the first half, but we had to make a tactical change later in the game.

“The effort is amazing considering the stiff competition we have faced since the cup competition started. Overall, we are happy and impressed by our team effort and how we corroborate even when we lose.”

The reserved gaffer conceded defeat and believes the experience of playing in the final will mould his team in future assignments.

“We gave in a good fight. Everyone gave their best, but it wasn’t meant to be for us. They gallantly defended their goal,” coach Mutiwekuziva said.

“This is an excellent experience because it is our first final since we gained promotion. 

CAME A LONG WAY

“We came a long way, beating the defending champions, FC Platinum, along the way, but the final proved too hard for us.

“Even the changes we made didn’t yield results for us. We, however, take this runner-up prize with chins up because we fought hard. We competed until the last point.

“We rest and soon start planning again for the next edition of the league and the Chibuku Super Cup.”

Under normal circumstances, the winner of the Chibuku Super Cup represents the country in the CAF Confederations Cup.

However, Bulawayo Chiefs will keep their fingers crossed until the next edition of the continental tournament, hoping that Zimbabwe’s FIFA suspension will have been lifted.

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