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“My hope is that the team is going to benefit from the exposure. These are big names that they will rub shoulders with and they should be able to learn a thing or two from the match,” said Mwaruwari, undoubtedly one of the best players to emerge from Bulawayo.
The former Magwegwe Nottingham Forest and Highlanders junior, said he would play for both teams on the day.
Mwaruwari retired from international football in 2010. He is among a few former Warriors to publicly announce their retirement with a majority exiting the team quietly after being left out by national coaches.
“I am excited about it, I will play for both teams in the two halves,” said Mwaruwari.
He said he had done his best to ensure that some of the world’s biggest names come to play in the match that is expected to be the founding stone for the Benjani Mwaruwari Foundation.
It seeks to help charity as well as groom world class stars through an academy to be established in Bulawayo.
“I have done my best to ensure the big stars come to Zimbabwe and play in the match. Quite a number have confirmed their participation and I am excited about it,” said Mwaruwari.
He said over the next week snippets of some players like Kanu, Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure would be shown on local television. They are the stars that have confirmed that they would be in Harare for the 26 May match.
Kanu, a close friend of Mwaruwari, Emmanuel Adebayor, Toure, Drogba, Alex Song, Michael Essien and Emmanuel Ebou are some of the players expected to play at the National Sports Stadium.
Jomo Sono will coach All Stars who will feature some former players from South Africa like John Shoes, Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo.
Sono picked Mwaruwari from Air Zimbabwe Jets after being impressed by the striker’s aggression and polished him before he moved to Europe where he flirted with several clubs.
Among the teams Mwaruwari turned out for are Auxerre, FC Zurich, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth and Sunderland.
Mwaruwari said he was happy with the progress that has been made in preparing for the match.
He said the international cast would fly from their bases to South Africa where they will meet those from Mzansi before flying to Harare.
“In Johannesburg there will be a jet waiting for the players to be flown to Zimbabwe. Those who want to stay longer in the country will be welcome and we will make necessary arrangements for their return journey,” said the former Warriors captain.
He also announced that CBZ Bank, Germany football boots and wear maker Aspero, Green Card and Rainbow Tourism Group were among the sponsors of the event.
“We are happy with the corporate sector’s response. CBZ Bank, Green Card, Aspero and Rainbow Tourism Group are our sponsors. We are grateful to them for coming on board to make it possible, doors though remain open to other corporate players who want to sponsor,” said Mwaruwari.
Wild Geese, a Harare restaurant would be the venue of the celebrity dinner to be held on 25 May.
A select side of former players from Mwaruwari’s generation and those he grew up idolising like Madinda Ndlovu will play veterans from Harare.
The Bulawayo veterans have been training at Archers Sports Club under the watchful eyes of veteran coaches Ali Dube, Gibson Homela and Cosmas Zulu.
Online Reporter