NGEZI – Former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars have been dealt another blow, with FIFA reportedly ordering the club to pay former head coach Benjani Mwaruwari nearly US$600,000 for unfair dismissal.
Mwaruwari, along with his former assistant Bongani Mafu, was fired in 2022 after just 12 weeks in charge.
Seeking justice, the duo took their case to FIFA, which initially ruled that Ngezi Platinum must pay Mafu almost US$200,000.
Now, the world football governing body has instructed the club to compensate Mwaruwari close to US$600,000.
The Ngezi Platinum job was Mwaruwari’s first top flight coaching role after retiring from playing.
His tenure at the Mhondoro based side lasted 13 matches, during which he recorded three wins, six draws, and four defeats before being dismissed for poor results.
However, in one of his interviews, the former Manchester City striker said he wasn’t given enough time by Madamburo.
“In my view, I think I did well (at Ngezi Platinum Stars), but football is a game of numbers. What I wanted to do didn’t materialise,” Mwaruwari told the media in the UK after watching SuperSport United iDiski Challenge team against Bristol City U-21s in their England tour in May 2022.
Added the former Portsmouth striker: “I needed time to do my own things (work his project), but sometimes it’s the vision that is different to that of the bosses.
“I was meant to be given (enough) time, but it went the other way. Now I am here in England and I am trying to learn more, whether it’s in the academy or in the first team as a head coach or assistant coach. Hopefully I can get one of those (duties) and learn more.”
Mwaruwari is currently attached at Plymouth Argyle after being recommended by the Premier League as part of their initiative to assist former players who want to excel as coaches.
