Breaking News: Benjani quits international football
Former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari has officially announced his retirement from the international football.
The Blackburn striker aims to concentrate on his club career and has thus given up his international career. Benjani moved from Manchester City in this summer’s transfer window on a 1 year deal and is well aware of the fact that he would have to make a quick
impact on the premier league club in order to get a possible extension. Owing to this predicament, the player has decided to call it day from international football and Zimbabwe’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde would be the last match for his country.
"After the game I went to speak with (team coach) Norman (Mapeza) and thanked him for giving me a chance to play in the game against Cape Verde and that I was sorry we couldn't do enough to win the game and get maximum points," stated Benjani while talking
to a local newspaper. The player was optimistic of still having some playing years at the club level but was content with the job he had done for his national side. However, Benjani was sad to be leaving in the way he was and regretted not coming to the expectations
of his fans and supporters. In all, Benjani has appeared for Zimbabwe for a total of 44 times and has scored 29 goals.
Benjani was also the skipper of the national side and passed on his arm band to Tapuwa Kapini, who is the goalkeeper for the national outfit. Benjani has had vast experience in club football, having played in clubs like Jomo Cosmos, Auxerre, Portsmouth,
Manchester City and Sunderland and is one of the most experienced strikers. At the age of 32, however, he would have to work extra hard to break into the first team of the Blackburn Rovers, as the side already has a galore of strikers and forwards waiting
for their respective opportunities. Zimbabwean fans and supporters have expressed their sorrow following the announcement of Benjani’s retirement from international football.
In a total of 246 appearances at club level, Benjani has scored 63 times, which is not an impressive record by any means for a centre forward. However, Benjani would be hailed for his presence and defence splitting through balls, which led to many goal scoring
opportunities for his teammates. In his own words, it was the proudest day of his career when he was made the captain of the Zimbabwean National team.
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