Bruce Chikuni
HERENTALS forward, Tino Benza, has already surpassed his previous best scoring season with 12 more rounds of matches remaining.
A career-best tally of four goals last season saw him among the country’s Soccer Stars of the Year.
However, he has already found the target six times in this campaign.
Tino is just three goals behind in the Golden Boot race, which is being jointly led by Chicken Inn’s Obriel Chirinda and Fortune Binzi of Manica Diamonds.
Last season, Tino scooped the Peoples’ Best Player of the Season gong.
He propelled the Students to the Chibuku Super Cup Final.
He has bagged the same number of goals with FC Platinum’s Walter Musona, who was voted the Castle Lager Premiership Soccer Star of the Year.
The Students have lost once in their last seven assignments.
“It has been a season of mixed fortunes for us but I’m confident that we will not end the season empty handed,” said Tino.
“Mathematically, we are still in the title race because anything can happen, but I feel that we really need to do well in the Chibuku Super Cup.
“I’m targeting double figures and it can only happen with the help of my teammates who have been helping me to develop in many ways.
“I also feel that personal glory is more valuable when the team is performing well and everyone is motivated to achieve its targets for this season.
‘“Last season, we really came close to winning the Chibuku tournament, and that stride boosted our mental endurance, we now believe that hard work can get you anywhere, and the individual accolades which I received also helped in shaping my confidence and the will to push for more.”
The Students will host Black Rhinos tomorrow at Mandava.