Benjani continues amazing scoring run

By Lance Guma
05 November 2007

Zimbabwean striker Benjani Mwaruwari continued his amazing scoring run in the English Premiership by netting his 8th goal of the season. For a player who scored only 6 goals the whole of last season, 8 goals in 11 matches has made him the top goal scorer in the league. On Saturday he scored a brilliant left footer to help Portsmouth beat Newcastle for the first time in 58 years at St James Park.

The player, nicknamed ‘Big Ben,’ muscled Newcastle defender Cacapa off the ball and sent a curling shot into the nets. Pompey defender Noe Pamarot had earlier on scored for the visitors with a pile driver that nearly tore the nets. Portsmouth made it 3-0 when Nigerian striker John Utaka again bundled Cacapa off the ball and rounded the keeper to slot home. A Sol Campell own goal offered a glimmer of hope for the home side before a deflected Niko Kranjcar free kick settled the contest at an embarrassing 4-1.

But it’s Benjani’s form that has seen the pundits sit up and take notice. Previously known as a hardworking player who found it easier to miss than score, the shy Zimbabwean has transformed into a completely new player. It’s hard to believe he went 15 games without scoring last season. ‘I don't know why I'm on such a great streak. I'm the leading scorer now, and hope I'm there at the end of the season, but to be honest I don't really care about that as long as the team are winning,’ Benjani told journalists.