Is Benji joining Cherries?

IS Benjani set to join the backroom staff of English Premiership side Bournemouth?

That is the vibe right now with reports suggesting the Undertaker could be on the move to join the Cherries, who already have Zimbabwe’s Jordan Zemura, on their books.

If that happens, he could join his former Portsmouth teammate, Gary O’Neil, who is now the caretaker manager at the South Coast English side.

O’Neil was a midfielder at Pompey while Benjani led the attack.

They both were involved in the famous battle against relegation, which was secured after victory over Wigan, in April 2006.

This ensured the Blues avoided relegation from the Premiership like no other club had done before.

It’s a similar exercise which might be needed to save the Cherries.

Back in 2006, Pompey were heading for the drop, following a dismal start to the 2005-06 campaign, with Alain Perrin sacked in November.

But Harry Redknapp returned to the Fratton Park hot seat – little more than a year after leaving for rivals Southampton – and helped steer Pompey to safety.

Pedro Mendes’ two wonder strikes against Manchester City sparked a run of five wins and two draws from eight games.

Pompey hauled themselves out of the bottom three and made the trip to Wigan on the penultimate day of the campaign looking to secure their top-flight status.

A strike from Benjani and a Matt Taylor penalty delivered the Blues a 2-1 success and ensured Redknapp’s side survived.

Despite O’Neil winning three promotions during his career, the emotions after the final whistle at the JJB Stadium were superior.

Speaking to Talksport, he said: “Staying up for Portsmouth at Wigan (was the best moment of my career).

“We were like 21 points behind when Harry came back from Southampton and had been written off.

“Even I thought we would never turn it around.

“We had the whole away end sold out, like 5,000 Portsmouth fans and it was a really special day.”

When asked whether the feeling at the final whistle or sex was better, O’Neil replied: “That moment.”

O’Neil left Pompey for Middlesbrough in August 2007. – Sports Reporter/Agency