Herentals captain Tino Benza had an average season last term by his high standards, and the forward is challenging himself to do better in the new campaign.
Benza scored just one league goal for his club the entire campaign last year in what was arguably his worst season since he broke into the top flight league seven years ago.
Consequently, he missed out on the Soccer Stars of the Year calendar, an award he had picked in the previous two seasons.
On top of being named as one of the Soccer Star of the Year finalists in 2022 and 2023, Benza scooped the Fans' Choice Player of the Season in those two seasons, to add on to the Rookie of the Year award he won on his debut season in 2018.
The striker, who can also play as a winger, admits he didn't enjoy the best of season last year, but he is eager to turn things around this year.
"I wouldn't want to jinx my target but I'm just hoping to have an amazing season and be one of the Soccer Stars of the Year this year," Benza said.
The 24-year-old has already shown some glimpses of his old self in the two games that Herentals has played so far in the new season.
He was heavily involved in the two goals that his team scored in the 2-1 win over TelOne in their season opener a fortnight ago.
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Against Dynamos last week, Benza could have easily registered two assists had his teammates been more clinical with the chances he created in the goalless draw with the Harare giants.
Reflecting on the match against DeMbare, he said,
"It was a good game for Herentals and Dynamos also came in well. It was very unfortunate that none sides scored but happy with the result either way. It could have gone either way but I do feel we did create good chances, Dynamos also had theirs but it ended goalless."
This week, Herentals travel to defending league champions Simba Bhora on Saturday hoping to continue with their unbeaten start to the season.
The Students, who finished fifth last season, their best since league promotion in 2018, are currently on second position on the log standings with four points, two behind log leaders and favourites Scottland.
Coach Paul Benza is satisfied with how his team has begun the new campaign as they look to improve from their last season's finish.
"We are happy with the way we have started the season because last year we started badly," Paul said.
"This season managing to go two games without a defeat we are happy and hope that going forward we are going to keep on collecting those points."
This fixture ended goalless last season.
Matchday 3 fixtures
Tomorrow: Scottland v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro).
Saturday: Simba Bhora v Herentals (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v Telone (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Fc Platinum (Luveve), Mwos v Yadah (Baobab), Kwekwe United v Bikita Minerals (Bata), GreenFuel v Highlanders (GreenFuel Arena).
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Zpc Kariba (Sakubva), Triangle v Caps United (GreenFuel Arena).
