Sports
Mwaruwari To Make Chippa Debut
Former Zimbabwe international Benjani Mwaruwari is being cast as a possible saviour for struggling Cape Town club, Chippa United as they battle relegation in their debut season in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League.
Mwaruwari, who made his name in South Africa before embarking on a European adventure that took in successful spells in Switzerland, France and England, is expected to make his debut for Chippa United when they host top of the table Kaizer Chiefs at Cape Town’s Athlone Stadium today.
It comes just a week after the signing of the 34-year-old, who last played a match just over a year ago, and is seen as a last-ditch effort by the relegation-haunted side to get themselves to safety.
“”I’m excited to have a striker like Benjani in the team”
Mwaruwari, voted the best player in South Africa in 2001 when he emerged as a goal-scoring sensation at Jomo Cosmos, went on trial at SuperSport United before the start of the season in July.
Coach Gavin Hunt enthused about his ability at the time but said the Pretoria club they could not afford Mwaruwari’s salary demands.
Just over six months later Mwaruwari returned to South Africa from his Bulawayo base to try out at Ajax Cape Town, who were also enthusiastic about his ability but said he was too unfit to be effective immediately and that they could not afford the time needed to get him ready.
But struggling Chippa United had no hesitation in jumping in and their coach Wilfred Mugeyi signed Mwaruwari up on a short-term contract without even seeing him train.
“I’m excited to have a striker like Benjani in the team,” said Mugeyi, who played alongside Mwaruwari in the Zimbabwe national side.
Mwaruwari left South Africa for a successful spell in Europe with Grasshoppers Zurich in Switzerland; French side AJ Auxerre, and English clubs Portsmouth, Manchester City, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.
His new team are a far cry from the glamour arenas of Europe, playing their football at Philippi Stadium in Cape Town’s shanty town.
They made a fairytale rise from the third tier of South Africa football to the top flight in two seasons but have won only three times in 20 matches.
Chippa have 16 points at the foot of the PSL, 27 points off the leaders Chiefs.
Enzo Fernandez was booed by some supporters on the day when Morgan Rogers scored on his first appearance for Chelsea in a 3-1 win against Real Sociedad.
Joao Pedro also continued his fine pre-season form with a double as manager Xabi Alonso offered a glimpse of what could be his blueprint for the season.
But the action was overshadowed by the reaction to Fernandez’s second-half appearance, less than 24 hours after Chelsea’s self-imposed transfer deadline had passed.
Fernandez had been keen to join Real Madrid earlier this summer before the Spanish club ended their interest in the Argentine.
His representatives later held talks with Manchester City, but no offer was made to meet Chelsea‘s £120m valuation before Friday’s deadline.
Fernandez was booed by some early arrivals at Stamford Bridge when his name was read out 45 minutes before kick-off.
There were then audible boos when Fernandez came on in the 62nd minute.
Chelsea supporters appeared divided, with others responding by chanting his name.
Yet, it was a signal of Alonso and Chelsea‘s backing that when Reece James left the field he passed his long-time vice-captain the armband as usual.
Each touch of the ball was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.
It followed attempts by some supporters to move on from a saga that appears to have ended with Chelsea now expecting to keep one of their best players.
Others, however, remain unhappy with his perceived disloyalty, having come out publicly about his desire to move to Madrid, with his agent Javier Pastore also claiming he is underpaid.
It will be interesting to see how supporters of the Premier League’s other 19 clubs react to Fernandez, given his celebrations and social media jibes after Argentina beat England in a World Cup semi-final in July.
That will remain an issue whether he remains at Chelsea or Manchester City elect to revive their interest and attempt to reunite him with his former manager Enzo Maresca before deadline day on 1 September.
It took Rogers only seven minutes to score his first goal in a Chelsea shirt as he reacted quickest after Alex Remiro saved Joao Pedro’s initial header.
The £117m club record signing from Aston Villa initially looked sharp and linked well with Cole Palmer and Pedro in Chelsea‘s front three.
Within 10 minutes of his debut, supporters were already chanting his name.
However, it was understandable that Rogers faded as the match wore on, given he had trained for less than a week since returning from holiday before his 62-minute outing.
Beyond Rogers, Joao Pedro has been the star of Chelsea‘s pre-season.
In this outing he headed Chelsea back in front in the 47th minute before adding a side-footed finish 30 minutes later to seal victory after Sociedad had equalised just before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu’s volley.
Chelsea lost control towards the end of the first half and looked vulnerable, but they were much improved after the break.
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