Former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari has revealed that during his playing days, he nearly put pen to paper on a deal to join English top flight side Arsenal.
Mwaruwari revealed this during a more than one hour interview on the youtube programme ‘In Conversation with Trevor’ the Alpha Media Holdings chairman [Trevor] Ncube.
Reminiscing on the past, the 43-year-old former Warriors skipper, told Ncube he almost signed for the Gunners but the move was blocked by his then manager.
“Arsene Wenger used to buy players in France, so I was at AJ Auxerre playing understudy of Djibril Cissé who later joined Liverpool,” said Mwaruwari.
“I was doing well in France at that time, thats when Wenger called my manager and my manager said he can’t sell two good strikers at the same time.”
He added: “I had to stay (in France) for another year but that year I suffered an injury and I stayed another then after thats when Harry [Redknap] came and said he was told by Wenger I was good and he then signed me to Portsmouth.”
Mwaruwari who also played for several clubs including South African top flight sides Jomo Cosmos, Bidvest Wits and Chippa United went on to describe his rocky journey until he made it.
The ex-Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Switzerland’s Grasshoppers striker said he conducted a number of trials with a number of European countries.
“Most people don’t really know that to reach where I played it wasn’t an easy journey, I went through many trials with a number of clubs across the European continent, even in Turkey and Denmark.
“At one time I conducted trials with the English side Bournemouth in England. I also tried my luck in China and Italy.”
At the moment, the retired footballer is the Ngezi Platinum Stars head coach.
He was unveiled by the Mhondoro based Castle Premier Soccer League outfit in April.
This was four weeks after the club had parted ways with Rodwell Dhlakama who was allegedly fired owing to allegations of corruption.
The former Jomo Cosmos striker who is a holder of a UEFA A coaching badge pleaded with Ngezi’s executive to grant him adequate time as he still trying to work towards rebuilding a competitive youthful side.
He also said his desire is to win the championship with the Platinum miners.
“I hope and wish they (the club) can give me the time that I need. I came in when they had played nine or 10 games, they were in a good position and I need to keep that.”
“In terms of my philosophy, it takes time for the team to understand what I want. I’m so glad these boys are responding well, even though we need to strengthen in some areas.”
“But in this business, there is no time. Every game counts, I need to win games, I need to stay up there and to keep the team trying to win the league,” Mwaruwari said.
You mustn’t regret playing for Mancity than Arsenal, for city is much moer prestigious than Arsenal
Ishmael Munda those days Arsenal ndiyo yairira , city was like premier league side Newcastle
Series Nkue TemboSeries Nkue TemboSeries Nkue Tembo yes but that was the dawn to the present era of glory, I remember Benji once on the top of the scoring log with 10 goals
Ishmael Munda level rake raive re Mancity those days ku Arsenal aisarikava, though he was a good player.
Ishmael Munda prestigious and Man city can’t be used in same sentence.
Series Nkue Tembo usafanidza Newcastle nezvinhu zvisina basa. Newcastle was a top 6 team and Man city was a Norwich
Ishmael Munda hahahada ndopairira vana Henry airitambirepiko kuArsenal
Ishmael Munda haisi mhosva yako wangu, wakaziva bhora nezuro
Manyange Matt Chihwayí kkk unowanza ndiri murume mukuru. I know what I am talking about ndichine history yake year Benji
Ishmael Munda did you follow the story waffler
Ishmael Munda Kkkk panguva ikutaurwa naBenjie City yanga yakangofanana nanaBurnley, you can check kunana 2002 they were even relegated. Apo Arsenal yaipisa nanaThierry Henry
Ishmael Munda Kkkk wakatanga kuona bhora riiniko iwe. Urikutaura arsenal yekupedza season yese isina defeat 2003/2004 season. Kumberi kuina Thierry Henry and Dennis Bekamp Kkkk haaya arikava papi Benji wako iyeye.
Ishmael Munda city now just because they have oil money and let’s go back to history, city fans came out of the woodworks, glory seekers I call them, nothing wrong with that and soon they will all be toon fans but it’s a free world
Ishmael Munda history and records favours arsenal despite having a huge financial muscle Manchester City is still far behind arsenal in terms of achievements
true or false
We need a book from this great footballer of ours, we are proud of u Benji
Arsenal yaive better team than man city ,deal ranga risingabudi zvaro ..
Mario Mkayi kkkkk
Taona Mudondo Benjie aive mutete
Chero neni Barca yakafona pachimbudzi changu ndikasanzwa fon ndiri kuroad show yeEconet… Ndakabatikana kwazvo.
Ngatimboitei zve Ngezi
Tavengwa Zidya 🤣🤣🤣
Zvinei neku ngezi kwaari history dzenyu dzinova dzauraya nyika nhasi uno funga zvemberi
Better haana hake kuzoenda ku arsenal , ku arsenal hatidi vanhu ve zanu
Mnxxm
when?u are lying goat.we havent forgotten the Sharon D saga..u mean the Arsenal academy ryt?
Prince Reason Dube he ws admired by aserne wenger fo a long time when he saw him in a champions league match against Aj auxere
bt he never had talts abt making a move.
Prince Reason Dube are you saying a legendary is a lair🙄😀 no no you must be arrested 👮♂️
kkkkkkk legendary ye Auxere.portsmouth..ngyaycwalisela intwana yakoMnyoro nje.kkkk inknga ibiphapha ikhula lentwana yayo nge peugeot eyiyellow encane.kkk so ngsane kwaal cz bejola ekasi lam .ko Sandy
Bhora maijuma zvenyu
Tonderai Tirivangani kkkkk Makombe
Tonderai Tirivangani kkkkk hamurevi nhema
Tonderai Tirivangani fair vakapinda nelucky vachimwene Benji
Elvis J J Rufu zvimwe zvinoda lucky asi gedhe airiona
Kunyepa uku
..
Futseke wena
Such players deserve to be in Zifa structures
Progress Marufu even if they never advanced themselves in terms of managerial qualifications they still have to take management positions because of their soccer playing talent???
Progress Marufu uri dako pafunga.. Newe pihwa Sando dzako mukurarama
Progress Marufu you are definitely right 👍🏼
Progress Marufu unorwara here
Wilson ST yes!Kalusha bwalya didn’t advance his managerial knowledge but held a senoir post.
Why is he saying it now
Ko zvirikudiwa kupi
Kwaisadiwa matanda uko, kwaidiwa vanhu vetoucchh
Kudzie Mupindu ukangofunga kuti bhora ndejuju ingofunga mkomana iyeyu ini handina kumbonyatsoona zvaizikanwa ini chete those days City was not that formidable as it is now
Pullen Marimo 🤣🤣
Kudzie Mupindu saka unofunga kuti Man city inopenga
Pullen Marimo Benjani akagona bhora Ku Europe bvunzai Arsene Wenger
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/redknapp-opts-for-patience-in-effort-to-cure-striking-problems-0bg68tmb3hn
Arsenal did not need people playing like him, we play with natural talent
Khumbulani Khanye uyagula
Khumbulani Khanye You did not listen to the conversation…
Khumbulani Khanye but you signed Adebayo to me there are on the same level
Khumbulani Khanye you are not Arsenal😂😂
John Bhekekhaya Ncube you don’t know ball
Wenger is the one who advised Portsmouth to sign Benjani ,infact he wanted to sign him ,after champion league match ,where Benji gave David seaman torrid time
Karrison Mutema wapedza. Khumbulani Khanye kutozoti “we play” you and who? 😂
Beni Bill nhai
Khumbulani Khanye I heard you mocking that we play we natural talent are you playing at Arsenal that’s wonderful
Karrison Mutema kuzoti “WE” kkkkkkk
John Bhekekhaya Ncube Uuum Emanuel same same with Benjani???
Khumbulani Khanye @ who’s we u are talking about sir?
Kkkkkkk amana torrid time ne1 shot yaakaita here.kkkkk
Khumbulani Khanye we?
But this one is water under the brake.He must produce good results at Ngezi otherwise he is going to be sent packing.He must stop to beba story teller and do the job
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo GTH
Now you are playing for zanu pf.
Vana Benjani kuda kutinzwa apa
Ndiwe wakaita kuti ndiwe suporter yeman city
Almost n arsenal didnt almost they totally rejected u
Yistory sakho wedwa leso
Proud of you legend Benjani