Ndlovu, Mwaruwari exchange blows over women

Ndlovu, Mwaruwari exchange blows over women

• Nyandoro rescues Warriors

• Mwaruwari joins Warriors training

• Mhlauri recalls defender Ndlovu for Morocco tie

• Mighty Warriors crush Guinea, Young Warriors flop

• Rushwaya is new ZIFA CEO

• Warriors set up training camp at Valencia

• Warriors slide further back in world rankings

• Mubaiwa rescues Young Warriors

• Zifa has no money for friendlies

By Nkanyiso Moyo

PORTSMOUTH and Zimbabwe international striker Benjani Mwaruwari was caught in an unseemly hotel brawl with former national team skipper Peter Ndlovu, just days before Sunday's crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco which was drawn 1-1.

Mwaruwari and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Ndlovu had to be separated after exchanging blows and breaking windows and chairs at Harare's Cresta Lodge on Thursday night.

Police were called to Room 105 after Warriors captain Mwaruwari stormed Ndlovu's room and lunged at the former skipper.

New Zimbabwe.com has been piecing together the full details of the fall-out between the two players which led to Thursday's fist fight.

Sources last night revealed that the dispute between the two players goes back almost FOUR YEARS and involves multiple women.

New Zimbabwe.com can also reveal that the dispute is centered on Mwaruwari's former Zimbabwean girlfriend, whom we have decided not to name.

We can also reveal that the two players don't see eye-to-eye and their relationship has been irretrievably broken for years.

And in developments that will shock Zimbabwean soccer fans, Mwaruwari has told friends that Ndlovu tried to hire gangs in South Africa to beat him up.

Peter Ndlovu's brother and former national team striker, Adam, met Mwaruwari in Johannesburg recently and tried to calm the row as it became clear they were headed for a public clash.

ZIFA bosses and national team coach Charles Mhlauri were under pressure last night to act decisively to bring sanity to the Warriors dressing room. The two players could be fined heavily, or possibly dropped, sources said.

A source close to the Warriors team last night revealed: "Benjani and Peter just tolerate each other when they are on the pitch. Outside it, it's war."

The bed-hopping Ndlovu -- who has at least five children with four different women -- torched off the row after he bedded Mwaruwari's girlfriend, despite being married to singer, Sharon Dee.

One of Mwaruwari's pals said last night: "Benjy really loved that woman. The whole idea of Peter going behind his back and sleeping with her just meant their relationship broke down irretrievably."

We can further reveal that undeterred by the discovery of his secret liaison with Mwaruwari's girlfriend, Ndlovu once again crossed Mwaruwari's path by making a string of unwelcome calls to his wife.

Mwaruwari's wife, a South African national and former South African Airways air hostess, shopped the pimping Peter to Mwaruwari, leading to a fresh round of rows and angry phone exchanges.

She now lives with Mwaruwari in Southampton and they have two children.

In a feat of rage, Mwaruwari tried to turn the tables on Ndlovu by calling his wife, Sharon, and proposing that they meet on a date.

A source revealed: "Mwaruwari is not the kind of guy who will sleep with his mate's wife. But he just wanted to rub Peter the wrong way, and in some measure, gain revenge."

Mwaruwari has also told friends about attempts by Ndlovu to get him attacked when he visits South Africa. And, according to our source, Mwaruwari took the threats so seriously that he confronted Adam Ndlovu on a recent visit to South Africa and urged him to get his young brother "off his back".

"Peter tried to employ a mutual friend to source for information from Mwaruwari. Bad things were said, threats made, and the contact phoned Mwaruwari and warned him to be careful. Mwaruwari called Peter and let rip," a source revealed.

The man who phoned Mwaruwari was later beaten and stripped of all property bought him by the Ndlovus, the source added.

As news of their brawl became public on Sunday, the two players were tight-lipped. Several messages seeking comment left on Mwaruwari's mobile were not immediately returned.

Ndlovu, meanwhile, refused to talk to our correspondent.

Mhlauri is expected to meet Zifa executives early this week to review Sunday's draw and Zimbabwe's fast disappearing chances of making the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana next year.

But dominating the agenda will the be clash between Ndlovu and Mwaruwari, the latter due back in England later this week to prepare for Portsmouth's league meeting with Manchester United.

JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
ozzie@newzimbabwe.com