BENJANI Mwaruwari could play the in the Africa Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier against Gabon on Sunday after all! His French club AJ Auxerre have offered to fly the Warriors hitman by a private plane from Paris to London where he will connect a flight to Harare. In an apparent attempt by Auxerre officials to avoid a possible Fifa hammer that awaits the club should Mwaruwari fail to make the trip for Sunday's clash at the National Sports Stadium, club chiefs came up with the decision in a letter forwarded to Zimbabwe Football Association Wednesday morning.

Zifa's acting chief executive, Jonathan Mashingaidze said Auxerre wrote a letter to the national football association informing them of their latest decision. Zifa saw this as a good gesture. “We cannot dwell too much on this matter for now, but what we can say is that Auxerre have done what is required of them,” he said.

On whether the player would make it to Harare in good time for the crucial qualifier, the Zifa chief executive disclosed that the letter stated clearly that Mwaruwari would be flown by a private jet from Paris to London where he would connect a British Airways flight to Harare.

The striker is expected to touch down at the International Airport at 6 a.m. on Sunday and would be granted several hours to shake off the jet lag. Mwaruwari was optimistic he would make it for the match.

“That is the arrangement and I will be there for the game against Gabon on Sunday,” the dread-locked star confirmed from his Paris base.

Asked if he would be psychologically, and physically tuned up for the game in which Zimbabwe need an outright victory, he said: “Personally I know I will be in a good condition to play but everything depends on the coaches. But the reason Auxerre have decided to fly me in a private jet is to enable me to play on Sunday, no more no less.”

The coaches, however, appeared reluctant to field Mwaruwari under the latest developments.

Mwaruwari has been suffering from indecision on whether to play for his club or country. His club is scheduled to play in the French Cup final against Sedan this Saturday, 24 hours before the Warriors tangle the Azingo Stars.

Mwaruwari scored one of the two goals that wrecked Angola in a World Cup qualifier in March, pushing Zimbabwe to eight points and third position on the log behind Nigeria and Angola. - Daily Mirror