PRETORIA Blackburn Rovers Zimbabwean striker and former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari has revealed that he will only consider playing topflight football for one more season before hanging up his boots to focus on fulfilling his dream of setting up a football academy in Bulawayo. Speaking from his base in England, the dreadlocked Zimbabwean who recently quit the Warriors to concentrate on his club career with English Premiership side Blackburn Rovers said while he was aware that he had now reached the twilight of his football career, he is eager to use some of the financial resources he has accrued over the years while playing in Europe to develop and nurture young talent.
I will not be playing competitive football for a long time. In fact, I think I will choose to retire after one more season. I have always said that I would like to set up a football academy and I have discussed the idea with Zifa officials in the past.
Hopefully, I will be able to set up a football academy in Bulawayo because as a country this is the area I feel we are lacking in. The academy will assist in developing future stars so that the standard of football in Zimbabwe will continue improving, said Mwaruwari.
Mwaruwari started making headlines after moving to South African side Jomo Cosmos from Air Zimbabwe Jets in 1999.
At Cosmos, Mwaruwari was voted player of the season and players player of the season in 2001 for his goal poaching abilities. In 44 appearances for Cosmos, Benjani netted 30 goals between 1999 and 2001 and could have scored more had he not been sidelined by injuries.
His abilities attracted the attention of Switzerland outfit Zurich Grasshoppers, who signed him before selling him to French League 1 side AJ Auxerre in 2002.
It was in France that Benjani made a name for himself as an aggressive striker with a lethal right foot. He managed to secure a regular place at Auxerre and became a firm favorite with the fans due to his ability to score consistently.
Mwaruwari who was part of the Warriors history making 2004 and 2006 African Cup of Nations teams is only the third Zimbabwean to play in the lucrative English Premier League after Bruce Grobelaar and Peter Ndlovu.
Ndlovu, who is also a former captain on the Warriors, has also ventured into football development and is a regular sponsor of youth tournaments that give young footballers a platform to showcase their skills.
Post published in: Football