Benjani starts premiership season on fire

By Lance Guma
16 August 2007

Manchester United, the world’s richest football club, were left frustrated by a blistering headed goal from Zimbabwean international striker Benjani Mwaruwari. The Portsmouth forward continued his sensational start to the new English Premiership season by scoring the equaliser soon after half time in a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park Wednesday evening. United midfielder Paul Scholes had put the Red Devils ahead in the 15th minute with a trademark thunderbolt that beat keeper David James.

Portsmouth coach Harry Redknapp was stung into action and at halftime made a couple of substitutions replacing Pedro Mendes and debutant Martin Cranje with Matthew Taylor and Djimi Traore. It was to be Taylor who floated in a fine cross for Mwaruwari to score what many journalists are calling a ‘bullet header.’ It was his second goal in as many games after he scored on the opening day of the season at Pride Park against Derby last weekend. The Zimbabwean captain nearly scored a second goal, but for United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar, who parried the ball away.

Mwaruwari has already told Portsmouth fans his target for the season is to score double figures and improve on last seasons 6 goals. He received a lot of stick in his maiden season only to become the fans favourite following hard working displays. He has earned himself the tag of the hardest working striker in the English Premiership, making runs in between the channels and using his big stature to hassle for the ball. Zimbabweans who have had to live with the daily bad news of a crippling political and economic crisis, rejoiced in his scintillating display.

.................