Posted by Own Staff Sunday, 03 January 2010 16:39

NEW Manchester City coach, Robert Mancini has given Benjani Mwaruwari assurances about his future with the club after the Zimbabwe international’s first half strike gave City 1-0 FA Cup third round win away to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Warriors Captain who has just recovered from injury made the most of a rare start for City and put up a performance that almost certainly guarantees him a place in the eagerly awaited League Cup semi-final first leg tie against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Benjani has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands.
But the 31-year-old provided a timely reminder of his goal-scoring instincts with a first half strike since he last appeared on the score-sheet in the 1-1 draw against Fulham in the Premier League in December 2008.

Mancini insisted the Zimbabwe captain could play a significant role for City in the second half of the season as the club fights for a top-four finish.

"Benjani came in and took his goal really well. He looked good throughout the game and I was pleased with his display.

“He's shown me what he can do and that can only be good for the club and long may it continue," the former Inter Milan and coach said.

City’s new found riches have seen the club liberally on new players bring-in the likes of Brazilian Robinho, Carlos Tevez and Emannuel Adebayor but Benjani told NewZimbabwe.com that he was not fazed by the challenge and would stay to fight for his place in the team.

However, while Benjani was winning with City his warriors compatriots were crushing 0-6 to Syria in a friendly match played in the Malaysian capital Kular Lumpar.

The Zimbabwe side won only one of the three matches they have played during their trip to Malaysia and Thailand.

They lost the first game 0-3 to the Thai national team but recovered to beat Malaysian Super League Champions, Selangor 3-0 last Thursday night before losing to Syria on Saturday.

Source Newzimbabwe.com