HARARE- ZIMBABWE senior soccer team captain Benjani Mwaruwari is club hunting in England as his contract with English Premiership side Sunderland expires at the end of this month. (Pictured: Mwaruwari seeking a new home)
The Warriors captain now, 32 finished the English Premier Soccer League season on loan to Sunderland. According to reports from England, Sunderland, the player has been told to look for a job elsewhere. The striker is currently in Zimbabwe for an off season. I am not saying anything at the moment. I am on holiday and relaxing but I hope to find a new club after the expiry of my contract this month. Its been a very disappointing season but I still believe I can still offer a lot at the top level in Europe,”said Mwaruwari.
Benjani has struggled to find the form that made him a potent striker at home, in South Africa and later France, with the forward finishing the season without a goal for his new club Sunderland. Mwaruwari, Zimbabwes most experienced striker, moved to Sunderlandfrom Manchester City on loan in order to get more game time but a run of poor form has seen the Warriors danger-man playing only 101 minutes to date.
According to statistics available on the Barclays Premier League clubs official website, the 31-year-old striker has been on the starting line-up only once and has featured as a substitute on four occasions but has failed to find the target in any of those instances.
The 2009/10 season is now turning out to be his worst season in his career in Europe as he has only managed to score a single goal, in an FA Cup encounter. Mwaruwaris move from Manchester City was prompted by his failure to command a regular first team place in a team that included the likes of Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor and former Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez. It was hoped that his move to Sunderland would revive his waning international career after he was assured of more playing time. However his inability to score has seen him quietly sidelined.
Mwaruwaris lack of form could also hit his international career with the Warriors, who are due to take part in African Cup of Nations qualifiers later on this year. Zimbabwe is in a tough group that also includes seasoned campaigners Mali and the Cape Verde.
Post published in: Football