Controversy Shrouds Tino Benza’s Fans’ Choice Player of the Year Award
The 2023 Premier Soccer League Fans’ Choice Player of the Year Award has been marred by controversy amid allegations of vote-buying.
According to students from Herentials who spoke to this publication, Innocent Benza, Herentials Group of Schools owner, orchestrated a strategic voting campaign that manipulated the voting system to secure the coveted award for his son, Tinotendaishe Benza.
Benza is reported to have purchased airtime for students to sway the vote in favor of his son.
“Many of us received airtime with instructions to vote for Tino,” revealed a Herentials student who spoke anonymously.
In line with these efforts, Tino surpassed the competition and was crowned the 2023 Fans’ Choice Player of the Year.
When approached for comment, Benza did not deny the vote-buying allegations, stating, “We conscientiously mobilized all our supporters, of whom students are the majority, to vote for Tino. Simple.”
He further explained, “The Fans’ Choice award requires you to mobilize your supporters to vote, and that’s exactly what we did, leading to his victory.”
However, football fans interviewed by this publication expressed disappointment over the development, with many suggesting that when money is involved, the result won’t be a true reflection of fans’ favorites.
“It’s evident rigging; it undermines football. I can’t fathom how Tino can genuinely celebrate the award, knowing they paid people to vote for him,” remarked football fan Chamunorwa Murwira.
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“Perhaps the award should be discontinued. Kana uchinatsodiwa nevanhu zvinooneka futi neku ground sazvaingoitwa Denver (Mukamba),” added another fan, Muchehiwa.
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