Benjamin Mwaruwari (born 13 August 1978), known as Benjani, is a Zimbabwean footballer who currently plays for Portsmouthin the Football League Championship, where he plays as a striker.
Benjani played a total 44 times for the Zimbabwe national football team and was their captain for many of those matches. He retired from international football in October 2010 in order to concentrate on his club career.
Club career
[edit]Early career
Benjani began his career at Lulu Rovers, Zimba Africa Rivers, University of Zimbabwe teams in Zimbabwe's Division one and Air Zimbabwe Jets in the country's Premier League in 1999. He moved to South African club Jomo Cosmos in 1999 where he met his mentor Jomo Sono, after impressing in the friendly match between South Africa and Zimbabwe that was played to commemorate the inauguration of Thabo Mbeki as the president of South Africa.[citation needed]
In 2001, he was voted PSL Player of the Season and PSL Players' Player of the Season in South Africa.
[edit]Europe
[edit]Grasshopper and Auxerre
Benjani moved to Grasshoppers Zürich of Switzerland on loan in 2001. In 2002, Guy Roux took him to AJ Auxerre of France. Benjani had a good run at the start, capitalising from Djibril Cissé's absence, becoming top goalscorer in Ligue 1. Roux never played the two together, and eventually Benjani found himself surplus to requirements under Roux's successor, Jacques Santini, this time forced out of the 4–5–1 formation by Luigi Pieroni. While at Auxerre, Benjani score the opening goal in the 2005 Coupe de France final. On 5 January 2006 Premier League club Portsmouth signed him from Auxerre for £4.1 million after Arsenal managerArsène Wenger recommended the player to Harry Redknapp.[2]
This transfer from Auxerre to Portsmouth in January 2006 is one of those about which the Stevens inquiry report in June 2007 expressed concerns:
“Agent Willie McKay acted for the selling club, Auxerre, in the transfer of Benjani and, for the same reason as above” (still awaiting clarification) “the inquiry is not prepared to clear these transfers at this stage.”
“In relation to Benjani’s transfer, the enquiry also has identified concerns regarding the role of (agent) Teni Yerima and (third party) Ralph N’Komo”.[3]
[edit]Portsmouth
After failing to score in his first fourteen games for the club, Benjani finally got his first goal for Portsmouth against Wigan Athleticon 29 April 2006 in a 2–1 victory which saw Portsmouth avoid relegation from the Premier League.[4] On 29 September 2007, Benjani scored his first hat-trick for Portsmouth in a 7–4 win over Reading, which broke the record for the most number of goals scored in a Premier League match, and a league match shown on Match of the Day. After Portsmouth's visit to Wigan on 20 October, Benjani became the Premier League's top scorer.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp banned Benjani from taking any further penalties after he missed a spot-kick in second-half injury time in a home game against West Ham United.[5]He then made amends for his miss scoring in the 4–1 victory over Newcastle United to bring his total to eight for the season. He then scored his ninth of the season, albeit a consolation goal in a 4–1 defeat at Liverpool. On 19 January 2008, Benjani earned his second Portsmouth hat-trick, scoring all of his side's goals in a 3–1 victory over Derby County at Fratton Park. This took his tally for the season to 12 and subsequently resulted in him revising his target for the season, which had been 10.
Benjani's goalscoring form during the first half of the 2007–08 season cemented Manchester City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson's interest in the striker, and on 31 January 2008 he had a bid of around £8m accepted for the transfer of the player. However, it was revealed that Benjani had missed two successive planes to Manchester (supposedly due to his falling asleep at the airport), meaning he did not arrive at the clubs training ground until 11.10pm, leaving insufficient time to complete a move before the midnight deadline.[6] Portsmouth had already confirmed the signing of Benjani's replacement, Jermain Defoe, for a fee in the region of £9 million from Tottenham Hotspur, with the impending sale of Benjani supposedly funding the majority of the transfer.
[edit]Manchester City
A transfer was completed for Benjani to move to Manchester City on 5 February 2008 for a fee of £3.87 million on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[7] Further payments could be made if the player makes up to 75 senior starts which would raise the fee to a total of £7.6 million. His wage is reported at £50,000 a week [7] His debut came on 10 February 2008 against rivalsManchester United in a 2–1 victory to City. He scored the second goal from a header in his first Manchester derby. His first goal at the City of Manchester Stadium was ironically against his former club Portsmouth on 20 April 2008, although Benjani refused to celebrate after the goal out of respect for his former club, stating in a post match interview that he would never celebrate a goal against Portsmouth because the club and its fans had been so good to him. His next goal came in the 3–2 home loss against Fulham.
After a lengthy thigh injury, Benjani made a goal scoring return for the reserves, before following this up days later by making an impact as a second half substitute, scoring what would be the winning goal in City's 3–2 win over FC Twente. He scored again in the UEFA Cup with an away goal against FC Schalke 04. His former club Portsmouth were fined £15,000 for his transfer to and from the club, after they were found to have breached transfer rules.[8]
He entered talks with Hull City over a transfer to the club in August 2009, but negotiations ended after he failed to agree personal terms.[9] He was also linked with a return to former clubPortsmouth as well as West Ham United[10] and Stoke City[11] of the Premier League and League Two club Notts County.[12]
Under new Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini Benjani started his first game of the 2009–10 season in a third round FA Cup tie away to Middlesbrough on 2 January 2010, during which he scored the only goal just before half time in a 1–0 win.[13]
On 8 June 2010, it was announced that Benjani's contract had expired and that he would be leaving the club, along with Sylvinho, Karl Moore and Martin Petrov.[14]
[edit]Sunderland (loan)
On 2 February 2010, Benjani moved to Sunderland on loan until the end of the season, after the Premier League confirmed that the paperwork had been completed before the transfer deadline.[15] On 18 May 2010, Steve Bruce confirmed that Benjani would not be offered a permanent deal.[16]
[edit]Blackburn Rovers
After a month of being a free agent and considering his options, it was revealed that Benjani was training with Premier League team Blackburn Rovers in the hopes of earning a deal with the club.[17]
On 27 August, Benjani signed a one-year deal with Blackburn Rovers, with an option of a further year at Ewood Park. He made his debut, in a 1–1 draw, against Fulham, at Ewood Park, on 18 September, replacing Nikola Kalinic in the 65th minute of the game. He made his first start for Blackburn versus Aston Villa in the third round of the League Cup, at Villa Park on 22 September.[18] He scored the first goal, a glancing header, in Blackburn's home game to Chelsea, on 30 October in the 21st minute, in a 2–1 defeat playing 46 minutes and being substituted by fellow striker Jason Roberts. He made his 10th appearance for the club as a substitute against West Ham United in a 1–1 draw on 18 December. Also against West Ham he miss kicked a clear shooting opportunity which fell to captain and New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen who also sliced it but in the end he scored with the ball deflecting in off his thigh. On 5 January 2011, he scored two goals against Liverpool in a 3–1 win at Ewood Park.
On 21 July 2011, Benjani declined the new contract terms offered to him by Rovers and left the club.[19] In August 2011, he began training with Conference National side Stockport County who are managed by Benjani's former Manchester City team mate Dietmar Hamann. On 9 August it was announced that County had offered a contract to the player.[20]
[edit]Return to Portsmouth
On 13 August 2011 (his 33rd birthday), it was announced that Benjani had re-signed for Portsmouth. He was unveiled to the crowd at Fratton Park before the Championship clash againstBrighton after signing a one-year deal. His first match was against Reading on 16 August 2011 as a 75th minute substitute.[21] He scored his first goal in his second spell for Portsmouth in a 3-2 defeat at home to Peterborough United on 27 September 2011.[22]
[edit]International career
Benjani is a former captain of the Zimbabwe national football team, having taken the armband from Peter Ndlovu when Peter retired from the international soccer scene after the 2006 African Cup of Nations. He is the third Zimbabwean to play in the Premier League after goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, who played for Liverpool, and Peter Ndlovu, who played for Coventry City and later Sheffield United.
During the run up to the 2006 African Cup of Nations, Benjani provided the funding for the senior national team's stay in France when they were preparing for the competition.[citation needed]
Benjani retired from international football on 11 October 2010, following Zimbabwe's 0–0 draw with Cape Verde.
[edit]Career statistics
- As of 27 August 2011.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Other[24] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Grasshopper (loan) | 2001–02 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Total | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| Jomo Cosmos | 2001–02 | 44 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 20 |
| Total | 44 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 20 | |
| Auxerre | 2002–03 | 28 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 34 | 10 |
| 2003–04 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | 28 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 38 | 13 | |
| 2005–06 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| Total | 70 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 88 | 24 | |
| Portsmouth | 2005–06 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| 2006–07 | 31 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 6 | |
| 2007–08 | 23 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 12 | |
| Total | 70 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 19 | |
| Manchester City | 2007–08 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 |
| 2008–09 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2009–10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| Total | 23 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 7 | |
| Sunderland (loan) | 2009–10 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Blackburn | 2010–11 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 |
| Total | 18 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 | |
| Portsmouth | 2011–12 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
[edit]Honours
- Barclays Asia Trophy Champions 2007
- Vodacom Challenge Runner-up: 2009
[edit]Name
In the Ngonde language, his name should read Mwaluwali but because the Shona language uses 'R' in place of 'L', since 'L' is not part of the Shona alphabet, his name now reads Mwaruwari. It means son of darkness.[citation needed]
[edit]References
- ^ "Benjani Mwaruwari". premierleague.com. Premier League. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- ^ Portsmouth sign striker Mwaruwari, BBC News, 6 January 2006.
- ^ "What Stevens said about each club". www.telegraph.co.uk. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
- ^ "Portsmouth laud hero Mwaruwari". BBC Sport. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2007.
- ^ "Harry blast for striker Benjani". teamtalk.com. 28 October 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2007.[dead link]
- ^ "Eriksson won’t lose sleep over sealing Benjani deal". The Daily Mail. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
- ^ a b "Benjani completes Man City move". BBC Sport. 5 February 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
- ^ "Pompey fined over Benjani moves". BBC Sport. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ "Benjani move breaks down". Sky Sports. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
- ^ "Benjani rejects West Ham for Notts County". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ "Benjani would 'love' Pompey return – Portsmouth / ExtraFootie". Extrafootie.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ "Notts County to outbid Hull, Portsmouth for Man City's Benjani | Premiership News". tribalfootball.com. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ "Middlesbrough 0–1 Man City". BBC Sport. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ "Out of contract senior trio leave Blues". Manchester City F.C..
- ^ "Benjani makes loan move from Man City to Sunderland". BBC Sport. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
- ^ http://www.sunderlandecho.com/safc/No-Sunderland-move-for-Benjani.6301159.jpSunderland reject Benjani perminant deal
- ^http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8324192.Benjani_trains_with_Blackburn_Rovers/Benjani Trains With Blackburn Rovers
- ^ "Rovers Sign Benjani". Rovers.co.uk.
- ^ "Benjani leaves Rovers". Lancashire Telegraph.
- ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2024273/Stockport-looking-convince-Benjani-sign-Blue-Square-Premier-club.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
- ^ Benjani Returns PortsmouthFC.co.uk Retrieved 13 August 2011.
- ^ "Portsmouth 2 - 3 Peterborough". BBC. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ Benjani career stats at Soccerbase
- ^ Including Football League Trophy, Football League play-offs and UEFA
[edit]External links
Benjani Mwaruwari, earns £50 000 per week, which is a pretty good salary for a soccer player!
Benjani Mwaruwari, who is the captain of the national team, Zimbabwe Warriors, is one of the best soccer players the country has ever produced. Based in England, the player has vowed to make investments that will ensure he lives a comfortable life when he retires, unlike some players who suffer due to poor planning. To this end, Mwaruwari has invested heavily in property in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Zimbabwe
Currently staying in a £1, 8-million mansion in Manchester, Mwaruwari is on a £50 000 wage per week at Manchester City. Among the properties he owns is included a £2,1 million house in the exclusive area of Bournemouth where he used to stay during his time at Portsmouth.
He recently built a mansion in Malawi and this fueled speculation that his parents could be relocating to the country of their origin, but Mwaruwari dismissed them.
Last year he took bought an American-made £60 000 Cadillac to join his luxury fleet, which includes a BMW M6, a VW Touareg, a BMW X5 and a Range Rover. Some of the cars are kept at the striker’s properties in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Mwaruwari said: “I am buying just about everything. I have invested heavily in property and other things. I cannot disclose what the investments are because people talk too much.”
Mwaruwari began his career at Lulu Rovers and University of Zimbabwe, teams which were in Zimbabwe’s Division One, and Air Zimbabwe Jets in the country’s premiership in 1999.
He moved to South African club Jomo Cosmos in 1999, after impressing owner Jomo Sono in a friendly match between South Africa and Zimbabwe to commemorate the inauguration of Thabo Mbeki as the President of South Africa.
In 2001, he was voted PSL Player of the Season and PSL Players’ Player of the Season in South Africa.
Benjani moved to Grasshoppers Zürich of Switzerland on loan in 2001. In 2002, Guy Roux took him to AJ Auxerre of France. In January 2006, Premier League club Portsmouth signed him from Auxerre for £4,1 million after Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger recommended the player to Harry Redknapp. A transfer was completed for Benjani to move to Manchester City in February 2008 for a fee of £3.87 million. He is currently on loan to Sunderland.
No comments:
Post a Comment