Herentals coach Paul Benza believes some of his players deserved to make it among the Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year finalists after his team played their best season to date.

This year they placed fifth, above all the Harare based teams but their players missed out on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Stars of The Year finalists.

Dynamos' Emmanuel Jalai, Godknows Murwira and Kingsley Mureremba of Caps United as well as Khama Billiat of Yadah made it to the calendar.

Benza believes some of his players should have made it among the finalists.

“It’s a voting process and those who get the most points make it. That’s how it is. 

“I thought some of my players played well enough to deserve a place on the calendar but well, it’s voting.

“We will never be bitter but we take everything as a learning curve. We will eventually reach the levels where we think our potential should take us.”

Benza might have been denied the November Coach of the Month accolade which he deserved but was given to Ngezi Platinum Stars' Takesure Chiragwi.

Ngezi Platinum have a better record over the period but Chiragwi was away on national duty in some of the games.

Benza's Students won two, drew one and lost one in their push for a fifth place finish.

The fifth place finish on their best since their inception into the topflight.

Ngezi defeated recorded two wins including victory over Dynamos but they were under the tutelage of assistant coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva at a time Chiragwi was with the Warriors.

Benza said he does not pay too much attention on individual prizes.

“I am not someone who pays so much attention to individual prizes which are voted for," he said.

“I mostly concentrate on improving myself and my team and individual players, trying to see how I can get value out of them all.

“I congratulate whoever wins these individual awards because look, these are voted for and I am also a voter.

“So to be honest, I do not really invest my focus on the individual prizes.

“I just believe I didn’t do enough and I will have to improve if ever I entertain hopes of getting an individual prize.

“It’s that simple. I need to work more and improve the team which should also work hard to keep on progressing northwards.”

Herentals defeated Simba Bhora, almost derailing their title charge.