Benjani Mwaruwari

Early career

Benjani came to Jomo Cosmos after impressing in a friendly match between South Africa and Zimbabwe in 1999. There, he met his mentor Jomo Sono. Two years later, he was voted PSL Player of the Season and PSL Players' Player of the Season.

Grasshopper and Auxerre

Benjani was loaned to Swiss club Grasshopper Club Zürich in 2001. In 2002, Guy Roux took him to Auxerre. Benjani had a good run at the start, capitalising from Djibril Cissé's absence, becoming top goalscorer in Ligue 1. Roux never played the two together, and eventually Benjani found himself surplus to requirements under Roux's successor, Jacques Santini, this time forced out of the 4–5–1 formation by Luigi Pieroni. While at Auxerre, Benjani scored the opening goal in the 2005 Coupe de France final as they defeated CS Sedan. He also played as a substitute in the final as they won the tournament two years earlier in 2003. On 5 January 2006, English Premier League club Portsmouth signed him from Auxerre for £4.1 million after Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger recommended the player to Harry Redknapp. This transfer from Auxerre to Portsmouth in January 2006 is one of those about which the Stevens inquiry report in June 2007 expressed concerns: "Agent Willie McKay acted for the selling club, Auxerre, in the transfer of Benjani and, for the same reason as above" (still awaiting clarification) "the inquiry is not prepared to clear these transfers at this stage." "In relation to Benjani's…

Benjani is a former captain of the Zimbabwe national team, having taken the armband from striker Peter Ndlovu when he retired from international football after the 2006 African Cup of Nations. He is the third Zimbabwean to play in the Premier League after goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, who played for Liverpool, and Ndlovu, who played for Coventry City and Sheffield United amongst others. During the run up to the 2006 African Cup of Nations, Benjani provided the funding for the senior national team's stay in France when they were preparing for the competition. Benjani retired from international football on 11 October 2010, following Zimbabwe's 0–0 draw with Cape Verde. He gained 24 international caps, scoring four goals.

Club

International

Scores and results list Zimbabwe's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mwaruwari goal.

Auxerre

Coupe de France: 2002–03, 2004–05