adminBenjani Mwaruwari was one of those strikers who seemed to always be in the right place at the right time, scoring goals for fun and helping his teams achieve success. Oddschecker, which compares football odds and free offers, has made his former club Manchester City the favourites for Premier League success this season. The Zimbabwean sensation was brought to the Etihad Stadium just before their Abu Dhabi takeover, but he is still held in high regard by the Blues faithful.
That is in no doubt down to the fact that he scored the winner against arch-rivals Manchester United, on his debut, and at Old Trafford, no less. In honour of the great man’s sensational career, we take a look back at Benjani, Zimbabwe’s finest footballing export.
Early Days
Benjani began his footballing career as a youngster with a number of lowly Zimbabwean sides such as Lulu Rovers, Highlanders FC Juniors, and Zimba Africa Rivers. He would eventually find a home with Air Zimbabwe Jets, where he would spend the final three years of his youth career.
After graduating from the Jets’ youth academy, he moved to the South African club Jomo Cosmos, and this is where his career trajectory truly took off. He bagged 20 goals in 45 games during his three years in South Africa, scoring at a rate of almost a goal every two games. His performances earned him a loan move to the Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zurich in 2001. Despite netting just once in 25 appearances in Switzerland, his performances did enough to garner the attention of the French side Auxerre.
Lift Off
Following Djibril Cissé’s money-spinning move to Liverpool in 2004, Benjani was charged with the task of following in the French striker’s footsteps, and he wouldn’t disappoint. In 2004/05, he would go on to enjoy the most prolific season of his career, netting 17 times in 50 appearances.
The following summer, he would move on to Premier League side Portsmouth, stepping into the shoes of the outgoing Yakubu, who left the South Coast for Middlesbrough. Benjani’s time with Portsmouth saw him score some of his most memorable goals as well as cementing himself as an important part of Pompey’s squad. He scored a hat-trick against Wigan Athletic and the winning goal against Arsenal at Fratton Park. Those exploits would secure his £4 million move to Manchester City.
Benjani would go on to have successful stints with Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers. He will go down in history as a player who the streets won’t forget, and his iconic finger-pointing celebration will live long in the memory.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter