By Tendai Chisiri
Harare – Herentals College FC coach Celestino Paul Benza has been crowned the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Month for May 2026, after guiding The Students through a superb run of results.
The award, sponsored by Castle Lager, recognizes the top-performing gaffer each month in Zimbabwe’s top flight. Benza’s tactical discipline and consistency saw Herentals remain unbeaten through May and climb up the PSL standings.
Herentals’ Last Form – May 2026
Benza’s side showed real grit over the month, collecting points against some of the league’s big names:
- 31 May 2026: FC Platinum 0-1 Herentals FC – Away win to close the month
- 14 May 2026: Herentals FC 2-2 Dynamos – Hard-fought home draw
- 09 May 2026: Bulawayo Chiefs 2-2 Herentals FC – Came from behind for a point
- 01 May 2026: Herentals FC 1-1 Highlanders – Started May with a draw
That run left Herentals 6th on the log with 19 points from 12 games: 5 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses, 16 goals scored.
About Coach Benza
Celestino Paul Benza is the younger brother of Joseph “Benzie” Benza — the Herentals veteran who became the oldest player to feature in a PSL match in 2018 at age 43. While his older brother made headlines for longevity on the pitch, Paul Benza is now making his own mark from the dugout.
Known for backing youth development and continuity at Herentals, Benza has kept faith with promoting talent from the club’s feeder teams rather than big-money signings. “We believe in continuity. I think this will be one of the most exciting seasons in years,” he said earlier this year.
What’s next?
The Students face Scottland FC on Saturday 6 June 2026 at home, then travel to ZPC Kariba on 10 June. If May’s form is anything to go by, Benza’s men will be confident of keeping their unbeaten run going.
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