Sports / Local
Benjani likely to hang up his boots if he fails to secure a contract
30 Aug 2012 at 15:59hrs | Views
Former Jomo Cosmos striker Benjamin Mwaruwari is likely to hang up his boots at the end of the month if he fails to secure a contract with a South African top-flight side.
In a chat with KickOff.com, the former Zimbabwe national team captain refuted claims that he is on the verge of signing a contract that would see him rejoining Jomo Cosmos.
Mwaruwari, who was released by English side Portsmouth at the end of last season, has also ruled out linking up with one of the big clubs in the Zimbabwe Premier League.
"I am ready to retire from football if I do not manage to secure a contract with a Premier League team here [in South Africa]," Mwaruwari tells KickOff.com.
"I have been training with Jomo Cosmos, but I am not going to be signing a contract with them. Those were just rumours. I still attend some of the training sessions at Cosmos just to keep fit, but this is as far as it goes.
"The only team I have talked with is Bidvest Wits, but the talks did not amount to anything tangible. If I do not get any offers then I will call time on my career," adds the 34-year-old forward.
Mwaruwari burst onto the scene in 1999 while playing for Air Zimbabwe Jets. Jomo Sono spotted his talent and quickly signed him for Cosmos. This move was a masterstroke as Benjani scored 20 goals in 44 appearances between 1999 and 2002 during a fruitful spell at the club.
He then moved to Europe where he first played for Swiss side Grasshoppers before a more lucrative move to French outfit AJ Auxerre followed.
Mwaruwari's goal scoring form resulted in him being sold to English Premiership side Portsmouth in 2006.
Mwaruwari, who has also played for Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Watford and Manchester City in England, scored 29 goals for the Warriors of Zimbabwe in 44 appearances before retiring from international football in October 2010.
In a chat with KickOff.com, the former Zimbabwe national team captain refuted claims that he is on the verge of signing a contract that would see him rejoining Jomo Cosmos.
Mwaruwari, who was released by English side Portsmouth at the end of last season, has also ruled out linking up with one of the big clubs in the Zimbabwe Premier League.
"I am ready to retire from football if I do not manage to secure a contract with a Premier League team here [in South Africa]," Mwaruwari tells KickOff.com.
"I have been training with Jomo Cosmos, but I am not going to be signing a contract with them. Those were just rumours. I still attend some of the training sessions at Cosmos just to keep fit, but this is as far as it goes.
Mwaruwari burst onto the scene in 1999 while playing for Air Zimbabwe Jets. Jomo Sono spotted his talent and quickly signed him for Cosmos. This move was a masterstroke as Benjani scored 20 goals in 44 appearances between 1999 and 2002 during a fruitful spell at the club.
He then moved to Europe where he first played for Swiss side Grasshoppers before a more lucrative move to French outfit AJ Auxerre followed.
Mwaruwari's goal scoring form resulted in him being sold to English Premiership side Portsmouth in 2006.
Mwaruwari, who has also played for Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Watford and Manchester City in England, scored 29 goals for the Warriors of Zimbabwe in 44 appearances before retiring from international football in October 2010.
Source - kickoff
