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How ex-Manchester City forward Benjani ‘went AWOL’ and missed Newcastle United trials arranged by Sono

Former Manchester City forward Benjani Mwaruwari has revealed he blew an opportunity to break into the Premier League earlier after he disappeared from the radar of Jomo Sono who had organised trials for him at Newcastle United.

While turning out for Jomo Cosmos in 2001, Benjani went for national duty with Zimbabwe but failed to return to South Africa in time to fly to England for auditions with Newcastle.

Although he might have struggled to obtain a work permit had he impressed The Magpies, he still missed out on an early chance with the Premier League where he later on arrived in 2006 after stints in Switzerland and France.