Ex-Warriors Benjani Mwaruwari Lands Coaching Role at Plymouth Argyle in the UK

Former Warriors Player Benjani Mwaruwari Begins Coaching Career with Plymouth Argyle Youth Team

Former Warriors leader Benjani Mwaruwari has embarked on a new journey in coaching as he secures a role with the youth team of English Championship club, Plymouth Argyle.

Mwaruwari was chosen for the position after an extensive evaluation process conducted by the club, and he is currently honing his coaching skills under the guidance of esteemed academy coaches at Plymouth Argyle.

Having already spent four months in the role, Mwaruwari has been actively involved with age groups ranging from Under 13s to 18s.

Mwaruwari’s previous coaching stint lasted less than six months, as he was offered a four-year contract by Ngezi Platinum Stars in 2022 to replace Rodwell Dhlakama.

During his time with Ngezi, the team participated in 13 matches, winning three, drawing six, and losing four. These results led to the team falling out of contention for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, ultimately resulting in the club parting ways with the former Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers player.

Following this setback, Mwaruwari returned to England with the intention of further enhancing his coaching skills at the grassroots level.

Plymouth Argyle academy manager Phil Stokes explained that Mwaruwari was brought in with the purpose of developing his coaching abilities and integrating him into the club’s structure.

“Benjani joined us earlier this season through the players to coaches scheme, which is a collaborative effort involving the Professional Footballers Association, the Premier League, and the English Football League,” Stokes elaborated.

“Among the six clubs selected for the program, we conducted interviews and Benjani emerged as the successful candidate. We’re delighted to have him working directly with our young players.”

Stokes highlighted the positive impact that the former Portsmouth striker has already made on their attacking players.

“With Benjani’s extensive experience at the highest levels of the game, particularly in understanding and knowledge of attacking play, he brings significant value. However, the main focus of this program is to support Benjani in his coaching journey. This means he’ll be involved in coaching sessions across all stages, from foundational levels to professional development, not limited to attacking players. It’s all about facilitating his progress.”

Mwaruwari aims to develop a comprehensive strategy that resonates with those around him, with the goal of securing a position within Plymouth Argyle’s staff, potentially as a lead age group coach. Inspired by the career trajectory of former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy, who is now a coach at Manchester United, Mwaruwari appreciates the opportunity to learn from Plymouth Argyle’s coaching staff. He is participating in a program designed for former players interested in coaching, driven by his passion for the game and his desire to remain involved after retiring as a player. During his time at Plymouth Argyle, Mwaruwari has found the experience to be enriching, having worked with various age groups and contributing to the development of the Under 18 strikers in particular.