Benjani in good Kompany
Zim legend set for Vincent Kompany testimonial
By Mugove Chigada
ZIMBABWE football legend Benjani Mwaruwari has received great endorsement from former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
Benjani will feature in Kompany’s testimonial, set for the Etihad on Wednesday.
The former Warriors captain will partner the likes of Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli upfront as a Manchester City legend, against Premier League All-Stars.
After joining the Citizens in the transfer window of January 2008 from Portsmouth, Benjani was one of the big assets along with young Kompany, a foundation for the future.
The Manchester City project matured from the Benjani and Brazilian Robinho era to one that most recently won the title with Kompany as captain and Pep Guardiola as manager.
“Our former captain and talisman, who left the club in the summer after a glittering 11 years to become player-manager of Anderlecht, will be returning to the Etihad for a special game, in aid of the charity Tackle4McR, which will see a City Legends X1 take on a Premier League All Stars side,” Manchester City announced on their website.
“It promises to be an extra-special occasion with a host of former City legends returning to their old stamping ground.”
Kompany said: “I had such a special time at City and it’s a great chance to say goodbye (to the fans).
“We had such a special time. They have been great to me and I have always given everything to them, and this game is a little bit for them.”
Some of the City legends in the squad include Kolo Toure, Pablo Zabaleta and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The Premier league all-stars will include Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Cesc Fabregas.
Manchester City Legends – managed by Pep Guardiola
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Costel Pantilimon
Defenders: Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Kolo Toure, Pablo Zabaleta, Richard Dunne, Gael Clichy
Midfielders: Nigel De Jong, Samir Nasri, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Ireland, David Silva, Dietmar Hamann, James Milner
Forwards: Craig Bellamy, Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Benjani
Premier League All-Stars XI – Managed by Roberto Martinez
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar, Shay Given
Defenders: Phil Neville, Gary Neville, John O’Shea, Wes Brown
Midfielders: Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Rafael van der Vaart, Cesc Fabregas
Forwards: Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie