Benjani Junior Mwaruwari is on course to follow in his father’s footsteps after signing his first professional contract with Yeovil Town’s Under 18.
Son to former Zimbabwe international and Jomo Cosmos forward Benjani Mwaruwari, the 17-year-old was rewarded with a contract following impressive exploits last season, where he scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in 30 games for the Under-18 team.
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT
He is the third Under 18 to sign a professional contract with the club after Ollie Haste and Toby Stephens.
And Yeovil Town FC Manager Chris Hargreaves is excited by the development and has revealed that Benjani Junior will consistently train with the senior team.
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Benjani and his family on him signing his first professional contract.
“Following his excellent form for the Under-18 team, he has had a number of opportunities to train with the first team and has impressed all of our coaching staff.
“The signing is a testament to the excellent work going on within our EPDP scheme and the hard work by all associated with the programme.
“He will continue to play for Matt Percival’s Under 18’s side and train with the first team on a regular basis.”
EXCITING FORWARD
The exciting forward joined Yeovil Town from Portsmouth juniors in January 2020 and was a shining beacon in the EFL Youth Alliance League.
Last year he won the top scorer accolade when they clinched the national college seven-a-side tourney.
At this point, his records are an indicator of the massive potential he possesses, but it will be interesting to see if he manages to reach his father’s level.
His father, Benjani Mwaruwari, is one of the few Zimbabweans that soared to greater heights in Europe.
He played for the defending English Premier League champions Manchester City, Portsmouth and French side Auxerre in his illustrious career.
He also played for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa’s topflight.
The ‘Undertaker’ as he was fondly known, was a key member of the Zimbabwe national team that made the first-ever appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in 2004 and was at some point captain of the team.
