The former Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers attacker seems to have settled on the South African top flight as his league of choice
Zimbabwean striker Benjani Mwaruwari is now almost definite to return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) following revelations by his business manager Ralph Nkomo that South Africa is his preferred destination despite interest from England and the Middle East.The English interest is from Premiership returnees West Ham United who are coached by Mwaruwari's former boss at Blackburn Rovers Sam Allardyce while there is also interest from a club in Abu Dhabi.
Mwaruwari's decision to return to play in the Premier League is influenced by family as he is married to a South African and has multi-million property investments in Johannesburg.
"South Africa is his destination," revealed Nkomo from his base in France.
Nkomo will be meeting with Mwaruwari in Johannesburg at the end of next week to seal a deal that marks the former Jomo Cosmos forward's return to the South African Premier League.
"We are talking to four clubs and we will be making a decision in 10 days time when I meet up with Benji back in Johannesburg. I am back in France while he has gone back home. For him he wants to come and play in South Africa for family reasons and be closer to home (Zimbabwe) where he has set up his Foundation.
"In this trade you don't turn down teams but instead you listen to offers. All teams that are interested in South Africa are pushing hard because we are talking to decision makers. His decision will not be swayed by money but rather where he will still enjoy his football which is why the Middle East option is not so attractive despite the money being good there.
"We are not under pressure to take the first offer but we want the sporting offer to take priority over the finances. He has played in Europe for the last 12 years and so not all decision will be influenced by money," said Nkomo.
Though Wits do not have the stature of the other three South African clubs that are keen on him the fact that his friend Tinashe Nengomasha is already at Wits could sway the decision. The Sundowns bid could be diluted by a conflict of interest at the club though it still remains strong just like Pirates and Chiefs.
"The Wits coach (Roger de Sa) is a fantastic guy and Benji has his friends at Wits already so maybe that might influence where he goes in the end. Wits have a good chance of getting him while Chiefs remains a possibility just like Pirates and Sundowns. I have spoken to Bobby (Motaung) and he knows where we stand.
"However, we will go for the best option that balances the sporting and financial aspect. The club that gets him will also benefit from the marketing value that he brings. However, 10 days from now we will have the answer as to where Benji goes," explained Nkomo.
