adminThe veteran Zimbabwe forward wants to use his vast experience gained from years of international football, which included battles against relegation in the English Premiership, to help inspire modest South African Premiership side Chippa United preserve their top-flight status.
After surviving outright relegation from Super Diski, which saw Sunday “Mhofu’’ Chidzambwa’s Black Leopards going down, Chippa United must now clear the hurdle posed by National First Division sides Santos and Mpumalanga Black Aces in the play-offs.
Chippa will face Santos at Phillipi Stadium in a Cape Town derby tonight after the South African Premier Soccer League seemed to have overcome the court challenge from Thanda Royal Zulu which had threatened to put the play-offs on hold.
But away from the boardroom problems related to the play-offs, Benjani revealed yesterday that he was relishing a fresh challenge to help yet another team preserve its Premiership status.
Benjani said he had experienced tough fights against relegation during his time with English outfit Portsmouth and was eager to face a fresh challenge with Chippa United.
The former Zimbabwe captain also hailed the spirit in the Chippa United camp and said if it was anything to go by then their team could shake off the challenges of Santos and Aces whom they will play on a home and away basis.
“The spirit is very high in our dressing room and it has been like that in the last few weeks as you know we were unbeaten in our last six games,” said the former Warriors’ skipper.
“At the moment we are playing very well and the mission is to survive the play-offs and remain in the PSL.
“But these play-offs are not easy games, it is always difficult when you are playing a team from the National First Division because they always give it a big fight.
“We just need to ensure we do not lose any of the four games we have and each of them will be like a cup final for us.
“I came here (at Chippa) to face challenges and it is a challenge I am ready for.
“When it is comes to fighting against relegation I have been there and done that before and if we can pull through I will be very happy for the club, for the boys and for everyone who has been working hard at training and make it a successful campaign for us.”
While Benjani spoke of team spirit and the need for their players to remain focused on the job at hand, another Chippa United veteran player Brent Carelse believes that one of the strategies that must be used to bring back his team to the PSL, is to rely more on experienced players.
After scoring two penalties to save Chippa United from straight relegation recently, Carelse told Goal about his future hopes for the Cape club.
“We have a number of quality players in our squad and I believe that they have what it takes to save the team from going to the First Division.
“Without mentioning many names besides me and Benjani Mwaruwari, we have what it takes to make things happen for Chippa United. I think in the previous matches we let ourselves down, but we are now more focused,” he said.
With the arrival of their new coach Mark Harrison, they have played all their matches without a loss and Carelse gave the coach credit for the amazing turnaround.
“He is a good coach and indeed he is getting the best out of all us,” Carelse said.
“I must also say that the changing of coaches in the team did have a negative role to play as we were not able to be consistent.
“I am hoping that, this is the beginning of greater things and we will do well when we return to the PSL next season.”
With players above 30 years of age like Captain Mbulelo Mabizela and Zimbabwean international Benjani, who is currently 34, Carelse insisted that they must not change the squad next season.
“We must remain with the players that we have, because to do well in the PSL, you need experience,” he said.
Despite the appeal by Thanda Royal which threatened to stall the games both Chippa United and Santos continued with their preparations and appeared ready for battle.
Chippa media officer, Lukanyo Mzinzi, told Kick-off that “all they can do is stay prepared’’ even though the uncertainty which the appeal brought makes life tough for the participating teams.
“The game is on as far as we know; the PSL hasn’t said anything so we are in preparation for tomorrow night’s game.”
Santos team manager, Yusuf Gester, sung a similar tune, saying: “We haven’t heard anything from the PSL, so the game is still on for us.”
But having travelled such a journey before, the last hurdle in the fight for Premiership status is set to evoke a flood of memories for Benjani when he leads the Chippa United line of attack.
Online Reporter