Benza Hails Sports Gala as Crucial to Nurturing Football Talent

Herentals Colleges continues to play a leading role in football development across Zimbabwe, with its Sports Gala serving as a critical platform for identifying and nurturing young talent.

Speaking ahead of the Sports Gala held on the 18th of July, Herentals FC Head Coach Paul Benza highlighted the significance of the event in the school’s football journey.

“It is my pleasure that we are going to have a sports gala on the 18th of July and it is these sports galas that help us in the Premier League both for the boys and girls that we promote to play either in the Division 2 side, Division 1 and the Premier,” said Benza.
“Wilmore Chimbetu was learning at Herentals Budiriro, now he is playing in the Premier. We always keep records of our players from that tender age for the players who are going up to A Level.”

The sports gala has become a proven breeding ground for football talent. Wilmore Chimbetu, one of the success stories, attributes his progress to the Herentals system.

“I used to learn at Herentals Budiriro. I am a product of Herentals Colleges to the Premier League. I graduated from all ranks, from social league to the PSL,” said Chimbetu.

Herentals Division 2 Coach Ronald Chishaya also shared his journey and those of other talented players discovered through the same system.

“Inini ndakatanga 2009 kudzidza pa Herentals Budiriro. Takatorwa takawanda kunana Wilmore Chimbetu nana Gallis vari kuChegutu Pirates nana Everson Feremba vari kuMWOS FC,” said Chishaya.

Former students Liberty Chakoroma and Nyasha Chintuli — both originally from Manicaland — also rose through the Herentals pipeline.

“Liberty Chakoroma also learnt at Herentals together with Nyasha Chintuli, we used to call them from Manicaland,” said Benza.

The college has also taken strides in women’s football development.

“Kudzie Chiparausha is one of the female students who learnt at Herentals and now plays for Correctional Queens,” Benza added.
“We have players like Winnie Mapuwa, Grade 7 student from Herentals Mabvuku, represented Zimbabwe under 15.”

Admire Pasina, a Division 2 player from Chitungwiza, is another proud product of the Sports Gala.

“Taitambawo pama sports gala so nerimwe gore taimbawo pama sports gala iwayo ndobva ndazongo scoutawo naCoach Simbarashe Dedza kuti ndizo joiner team yavo,” Pasina recalled.
“So ndakazoita ma trials ne Division 2 ndikabudirira so now ndikutamba ikoko Division 2 Herentals.”

With a consistent track record of producing players who go on to play in Division 2, Division 1, and the Premier League, Herentals Colleges’ sports initiative remains a shining example of grassroots football development in Zimbabwe.