Sports / Soccer
Benjani likely to retire before next season
21 May 2014 at 03:58hrs | Views
JOHANNESBURG - Former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari says he is likely to retire from football before next season.
Mwaruwari, who failed to impress at South African club Bidvest Wits this past campaign, has nevertheless enjoyed a fine career.
The 35-year-old joined Jomo Cosmos in 1999 before earning a move to Swiss side Grasshoppers. He went on to represent the likes of City, Sunderland and Portsmouth, while he scored eight goals in 31 appearances for Zimbabwe.
"I don't think so (when asked if he would continue playing football)," Mwaruwari told KickOff.com.
"I think I have done my part. I still have to make a decision, but I don't think I will continue playing next season."
There has been talk Mwaruwari could take on a coaching role at Wits once his playing contract expires in June.
Mwaruwari also said Wits captain Sibusiso Vilakazi deserved all the accolades he received at the PSL Awards ceremony on Sunday night.
Vilakazi pipped Benjani's fellow countryman Willard Katsande of Kaizer Chiefs to the top gongs.
The Soweto-born midfielder received R550 000 in prize money.
"He deserves it. He has done well and he is one of the reasons Wits did well this past season," Mwaruwari told KickOff.com.
Vilakazi is rumoured to be on his way to Denmark to join Brondby next season after he impressed during trials with the club this year.
Mwaruwari added: "He has all the qualities for doing well. He can succeed in Europe."
Mwaruwari, who failed to impress at South African club Bidvest Wits this past campaign, has nevertheless enjoyed a fine career.
The 35-year-old joined Jomo Cosmos in 1999 before earning a move to Swiss side Grasshoppers. He went on to represent the likes of City, Sunderland and Portsmouth, while he scored eight goals in 31 appearances for Zimbabwe.
"I don't think so (when asked if he would continue playing football)," Mwaruwari told KickOff.com.
"I think I have done my part. I still have to make a decision, but I don't think I will continue playing next season."
There has been talk Mwaruwari could take on a coaching role at Wits once his playing contract expires in June.
Mwaruwari also said Wits captain Sibusiso Vilakazi deserved all the accolades he received at the PSL Awards ceremony on Sunday night.
Vilakazi pipped Benjani's fellow countryman Willard Katsande of Kaizer Chiefs to the top gongs.
The Soweto-born midfielder received R550 000 in prize money.
"He deserves it. He has done well and he is one of the reasons Wits did well this past season," Mwaruwari told KickOff.com.
Vilakazi is rumoured to be on his way to Denmark to join Brondby next season after he impressed during trials with the club this year.
Mwaruwari added: "He has all the qualities for doing well. He can succeed in Europe."
Source - KickOff.com
