Benza excited with rivalry against Simba Bhora and Golden Eagles

Herentals U20 coach Paul Benza says the three horse race created by Simba Bhora, Golden Eagles and his club has made the Northern Region Soccer League exciting and is helping market the brand of the league.

Any of the three teams is poised to win the league title with Herentals U20 having led the log standings for much of the season so far with Simba Bhora briefly taking charge while Golden Eagles have been the chaser occupying the second or third position mostly.

Benza feels that the competition creates pressure among the three clubs such that no team would want to slip up until the end of the season.

“It’s good for the league and good marketing for the league having three teams that are able to compete at the top. I hope that they are going to maintain the momentum so that fans are able to enjoy until the end,” Benza said.

“In the second round football is going to be difficult. We really have to fight hard considering that Simba Bhora and Golden Eagles are collecting maximum points. It feels very good to have such pressure to always do well and collect points. Our target remains to finish in the top three and we hope to continue grinding results in each and every game.”

Herentals U20 who walloped Chinhoyi Stars 5-0 last weekend to reclaim the top spot leapfrogging Simba Bhora whose match against Golden Eagles was postponed due to the death of Barnabas Mushunje, are away to basement side Cam & Motor on Saturday looking to collect another set of three points.

Simba Bhora are back in action after mourning their departed midfielder and will be hoping to put the bereavement past them with a win against Ngezi Platinum Stars U19 whom they stuttered against in the reverse fixture drawing 3-3 at Baobab stadium.

Golden Eagles have a tricky away assignment against unpredictable Chegutu Pirates at Chakari stadium but can take comfort in their good record at Chakari stadium during the first half of the season.

Black Mambas will be looking to bounce back from the defeat to Karoi United last week when they host Banket United at Morris Sports Club while Ralph Kawondera will be hoping for his first league victory as Trojan Stars coach when his side hosts Karoi United at Trojan Mine stadium.

Struggling Harare City Cubs have a long trip to Mutorashanga aiming to change their fortunes against PAM FC at Muriel stadium.

Fourth placed Commando Bullets are away to rejuvenated Come Again at Rimuka stadium but it is the Kadoma derby between Golden Valley and CUMA Academy which kicks off the Week 20 fixtures at Rimuka stadium on Friday.