I am not Peter Ndlovu's enemy - Benjani

FORMER Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari has for the first time spoken in public of his relationship with his predecessor Peter Ndlovu making it clear that the two were no enemies at all.

Ndlovu is one of the most successful Zimbabwean footballers in the English premier league in which football commentators branded him "The African George Best".

Mwaruwari said: "People just blow things out of proportion. We might differ, but we are not enemies at all. Remember he was there at the testimonial match".

Mwaruwari reportedly had a fist-fight with Peter in a Warriors camp in 2009.

The two were reported in the media as having been caught exchanging blows in an unseemly hotel brawl just days before Sunday's crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco which was drawn 1-1.

Mwaruwari and Ndlovu had to be separated after exchanging blows and breaking windows and chairs at Harare's Cresta Lodge. Police were called to Room 105 after Warriors captain Mwaruwari stormed Ndlovu's room and lunged at the former skipper.

Mwaruwari also disclosed that he may finish off his playing career in England to allow his kids to continue their studies there.

There had been reports linking the 34-year-old with South African clubs, but Mwaruwari told Standardsport that he was still to decide on his future and when he does that, his family would always come first.

"I am a free agent and will be making a decision on which club to join in the next two weeks. However, it will be the biggest decision of my life as I have to consider the future of my children.

"Obviously one would not want to leave his family behind and I have always moved with them wherever I go. They are happy in England and I do not think they would like to move."

"Besides, I also want them to attend the best schools. I know there are good schools in Zimbabwe and South Africa, but I want them to study in England. This is what will determine where I will play. I have heard people talking about me joining Kaizer Chiefs, but no club has approached me as yet. I have been busy organising the testimonial match. Maybe from next week, my phone will start ringing," he said.

Mwaruwari has four kids -  Prudence, who is doing form one, Benjani (Jnr), who is in grade three, Bellisima, who is grade one and three-year-old Berrenice - with his South African wife Nomathemba.

Mwaruwari, who has seen action at several European clubs which include FC Grasshoppers, AJ Auxerre, Portsmouth, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, said he was also still to decide on when to retire from football.

"I do not want to say six months or two years. It is never a question of money because as professionals, we have to plan for the future. When the right time comes, I will tell you," he said.

He also revealed that the Benjani Mwaruwari Foundation would have its first intake in 2017.

"We expect the Benjani Mwaruwari Foundation project to be complete in five years' time.  We will be targeting players from the age of seven, but we will not put them in the academy. Players over the age of 11 are the ones who will be staying at the academy," he said.

The former Zimbabwe captain also paid tribute to his former coaches whom he said played a significant role in his career.

"I have worked under a number of good coaches. They were all like fathers to me. Talk of Guy Roux, Jomo Sono, Mark Hughes and Harry Redknapp. They played a key part in my career," he said.

On his international career, Mwaruwari regrets not having won anything notable with the Warriors.

"I am happy with my career as I have managed to play for more than 12 years outside Zimbabwe. However, I would have wanted to score more goals for the Warriors' which did not happen," he said.

As a parting shot, he urged the youngsters to desist from drugs and work hard.