African football giants back Benjani Mwaruwari foundation

Football player Benjani Mwaruwari of Portsmouth will be hosting a charity testimonial match at 3pm on 26th May 2012 at the National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe. The Ex Manchester city player is set to mark his retirement from international football and raise awareness of his charity the Benjani Mwaruwari Foundation. The match dubbed ‘Benjani All Stars’ vs ‘Zimbabwe Warriors’ is aimed at raising funds that will provide access to coaching, training, mentoring and educational programmes to underprivileged children between the ages 6-18 in Zimbabwe “Once it takes off, the football academy is going to be one of the best run, with professional facilities and fitness trainers. This is what I want to give back to my country” he said. A Selected team of players from the Black stars will also feature in this match, John Paintsil said: ‘It’s an honour to be invited to support such a great cause, I believe as we are role models we have a responsibility. It’s important that we come together and support underprivileged children and give them the opportunity that they deserve.’ The event will kick off with a charity dinner on the 25th followed by the match on the 26th. Confirmed players on the day also include, Emmanuel Adebayor Manchester city (on loan to Tottenham) Yaya & Kolo Toure of Manchster City, Seydou Keita of Barcelona F.C, John Utaka of Montpellier, Stephen Appiah of FK Vojvodina and retired Nigerian players Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha. The Benjani Mwaruwari Foundation is a football academy being built by Benjani to raise the standard of football in Zimbabwe and to secure future opportunities for the youth of Zimbabwe to play at the highest level.]]>