Mwaruwari quits Chippa for Wits

Former Manchester City striker and Zimbabwe international Benjani Mwaruwari expects to complete his transfer from Chippa United to big-spending Wits this week after completing his medical yesterday.

"I can confirm our CEO [Jose Ferreira] is dealing with the issue of Benjani," said Wits co-director George Mogotsi.

"He is a highly experienced striker who will give the technical staff more options up front. We need goals to win trophies."

Mwaruwari, who was brought to South Africa in 1999 by Jomo Sono, has played for other top clubs in Europe like Grasshoppers Zurich (Switzerland), Auxerre (France), and Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth (England).

He represented Zimbabwe 31 times, where he served as captain and sometimes funded the team with things like flight tickets.

Mwaruwari retired from international soccer in October 2010 to focus on his club career.

"We are building a team that will do well in the Premier Soccer League. We want to see Wits winning trophies again, as was the case in the past. That is why we have decided to bring in rising stars and some of the experienced players into the team," said Mogotsi.

"We have some exciting boys who are part of our development and will be promoted to the senior team.

"Wits is known for unearthing new talent and turning them into superstars, as we have done with Bradley Carnell, Stanton Fredericks, Lovers Mohlala, Ashley Makhanya, Katlego Pule and Bhongolethu Jayiya."

The Times has also learnt that National First Division side Jomo Cosmos have given Wits permission to speak to defenders Siya Nhlapo and Lehlohonolo Nonyane, who started training with the Clever Boys yesterday.

Meanwhile, coach Gavin Hunt is taking the team to a pre-season training camp, which starts on July 8 in Cape Town.

"We will play a series of friendlies in Cape Town with PSL and National First Division clubs," said Mogotsi.

On reports linking former Ajax Cape Town defender Matthew Booth with Wits after he turned down a new deal with the Urban Warriors, Mogotsi said: "Not to my knowledge, but in soccer anything is possible."