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Herentals skipper Benza apologises
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Herentals College FC captain Tino Benza has issued a public apology to Scottland FC midfielder Vasilli Kawe following a late tackle during their Premier Soccer League clash at Rufaro Stadium last Thursday.
The tightly contested match, which saw Scottland edge Herentals 1-0, featured a notable midfield duel between Benza and Kawe - two players who were once teammates at Herentals. Tensions flared briefly in the second half when Benza mistimed a challenge, catching Kawe's right calf with a late stretch of his boot. The incident earned Benza a yellow card, while Kawe required on-field treatment before continuing the game.
Despite Kawe's influential role in helping secure victory for Scottland, the tackle appeared to weigh heavily on Benza, whose form visibly dipped for the remainder of the match.
Speaking on Sunday, Benza, who has so far registered one goal and two assists this season, expressed deep remorse over the incident.
"I am sorry for that tackle. It was just a rush of blood - some moment that I have taken my time analysing and got to realise I was wrong," said Benza.
"It's something regrettable on my part because I am someone who never plans to injure anyone. I have reached out to Kawe and issued my apology. Once again, I am sorry - not only to Kawe and Scottland, but to the entire football fraternity."
Kawe, who came on as a second-half substitute, responded with grace, acknowledging Benza's apology and commending the Herentals captain for his sportsmanship.
"Tino is a good player who is always working hard to improve. His passion is unmatched and that could partly explain why he appeared to be so aggressive in that tackle," Kawe said.
"I have already accepted his apology. He is a good sportsman. It's very rare to get a tough tackle and have the perpetrator go public to say sorry."
Looking ahead, Benza has called on his teammates to respond strongly in their next fixture against Triangle United at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
"The defeat against Scottland was painful. We dominated the ball, but we were not clinical," said Benza. "We need to rectify all that when we play Triangle."
The Herentals versus Triangle clash presents a chance for redemption as Benza and his side seek to climb the league standings after a stuttering start to their campaign.
The tightly contested match, which saw Scottland edge Herentals 1-0, featured a notable midfield duel between Benza and Kawe - two players who were once teammates at Herentals. Tensions flared briefly in the second half when Benza mistimed a challenge, catching Kawe's right calf with a late stretch of his boot. The incident earned Benza a yellow card, while Kawe required on-field treatment before continuing the game.
Despite Kawe's influential role in helping secure victory for Scottland, the tackle appeared to weigh heavily on Benza, whose form visibly dipped for the remainder of the match.
Speaking on Sunday, Benza, who has so far registered one goal and two assists this season, expressed deep remorse over the incident.
"I am sorry for that tackle. It was just a rush of blood - some moment that I have taken my time analysing and got to realise I was wrong," said Benza.
"It's something regrettable on my part because I am someone who never plans to injure anyone. I have reached out to Kawe and issued my apology. Once again, I am sorry - not only to Kawe and Scottland, but to the entire football fraternity."
"Tino is a good player who is always working hard to improve. His passion is unmatched and that could partly explain why he appeared to be so aggressive in that tackle," Kawe said.
"I have already accepted his apology. He is a good sportsman. It's very rare to get a tough tackle and have the perpetrator go public to say sorry."
Looking ahead, Benza has called on his teammates to respond strongly in their next fixture against Triangle United at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
"The defeat against Scottland was painful. We dominated the ball, but we were not clinical," said Benza. "We need to rectify all that when we play Triangle."
The Herentals versus Triangle clash presents a chance for redemption as Benza and his side seek to climb the league standings after a stuttering start to their campaign.
Source - newsday
