Published by the government of Zimbabwe
22 August 2008
Harare — WARRIORS skipper Benjani is now definitely out of Zimbabwe's make-or-break 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea at Rufaro on September 7.
The Zimbabwe international striker was initially doubtful for the game after he was injured during pre-season training at his English Premiership side Manchester City.
But it has now been confirmed that Benjani will miss the game against Guinea and, possibly, even the final group game against Namibia.
The Warriors need to win both games to stand a chance of forcing their way into the final qualifying phase for a place at the 2010 Nations Cup finals in Angola and the World Cup finals in South Africa.
Valinhos' men have five points from four matches after a victory over Namibia, two draws against Guinea and Kenya and an away loss to the Harambee Stars in Nairobi.
Kenya lead the race with seven points after back-to-back victories over Guinea and Zimbabwe, an away draw against the Warriors in Harare and an away defeat in Namibia.
Although the Warriors are down, they could still top their group if they beat both Guinea and Namibia and the Sylie Nationale beat the Harambee Stars in their final group game in Conakry.
But the Warriors will have to find a replacement for their captain who has received a heavy dosage of criticism from local fans for failing to score in any of the four qualifiers to date.
Benjani missed the start of the English Premiership season last weekend after picking up a thigh strain in mid-July.
His injury could not have come at a worse time for Manchester City who have also lost Valeri Bojinov and Darius Vassel to injury while their new Brazilian striker Jo is still holed up in Beijing where he played for his country at the Olympics.
Benjani told Skysport yesterday that despite the frontline problems affecting his team, he did not want to take risk by making an early return from injury.
The Zimbabwean international hopes to start working on his fitness in two weeks time and then should be available for action a month from now.
"It's so far so good. I'm working on my thigh slowly but surely. In the next two weeks I hope to start running," he told Sky Sports News.
Asked when he sees himself returning he replied: "In the next month.
"If you are out injured it takes a few weeks to regain your fitness. I don't want to suffer the same injury again.
"I'm very, very frustrated with what's happening. All the team's strikers are out.
"We're only left with two young strikers and while they are good they need some strikers with experience to help them along."
Benjani picked up a thigh injury in training and City boss Mark Hughes said his medical team will have to first wait for the muscle to heal and then for the strength to come back.
"He pulled a thigh muscle quite badly and the medical staff reckon he won't be available until into the new season," Hughes told the club's official website.
"They have to wait for the muscle to heal and then for the strength to come back, and that will need a lot of work.
"It's a big disappointment for me, but also for the lad himself because he was hoping to hit the ground running.
"Benjani ended last season quite well, and it is a shame but these things happen. You will always pick up injuries in pre-season, you hope that they will be slight ones that players can get over, but unfortunately this is a little bit more than that."
Warriors coach Valinhos appears to be preparing for life without his captain in the final days of the team's battle for a place in the final qualifying round.
The forward line-up has been a big problem for Valinhos in this campaign with his team only managing two goals in four matches -- both coming in the home game against Namibia.
Gilbert Mushangazhike struck twice in that game.
But that was the only highlight of what has been a disappointing run for the men tasked with getting goals for the Warriors.
Valinhos is likely to hand the responsibility of getting goals to Dynamos striker Edward Sadomba but while the pacy forward has shone brightly on the domestic Premiership and in some games in the Champions League, the jury is still out on his big match temperament.
He scored twice against Asec Mimosas at home but was a shadow of himself -- in the big test -- when Dynamos played Zamalek and Al Ahly in Cairo.
Sadomba was presented with a golden chance in the match against Zamalek after Phillip Marufu had run clear and worked his way past the goalkeeper before drawing the ball back to his partner.
With just one defender blocking his way on the line, Sadomba froze and took an age and by the time he decided to open fire, a defender tackled him from behind and the chance was lost.
The DeMbare forward was thrust into the starting line-up by Valinhos during the international friendly against Botswana at Rufaro on Wednesday.
Sadomba responded by firing the priceless goal, from a free-kick, that gave Zimbabwe a 1-0 win but his overall show did not illuminate Rufaro or give Valinhos the peace of mind that he had found the striker who can provide the goals for his team.
Still, given the general impotence of the team's attack, Sadomba remains a better option but, if he is thrown into the fray, it will be a huge test for him against a Guinea side whose defence has some of the biggest players on the continent.
Meanwhile Zifa chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya revealed yesterday that her association was trying to seek permission from Manchester City to allow Benjani to come home for the match against Guinea.
"The captain is injured but the technical committee are saying that he should come and give his teammates morale support in this big game.
"So we are trying to get him here but you need the clearance from his club for that and we will be engaging them shortly."
Kenya came to Harare with their goalkeeper Arnold Origi, who was injured and out of the game against the Warriors, saying that his presence was a huge morale-booster for his teammates.
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