Benjamin wants a new challenge

BRAVE Warriors midfielder Collin Benjamin says he will move on to other European clubs when his contract at German-based Hamburg SV ends this season.

The Namibian international, who is in the country preparing for their Fifa international friendly match against Swaziland on Saturday, told The Namibian Sport in a brief interview that he was looking at playing elsewhere next season.’I need a change of environment now. I have been at Hamburg for nine years and I have achieved quite a lot with them and am currently one of their senior players. I want to take up a new challenge next season, so I will see how things will go,’ he said.Benjamin trained with his Brave Warriors team mates at the Sam Nujoma Stadium yesterday and will serve as an important link in midfield, which is likely to miss their skipper Quinton Jacobs, who is in Lebanon on trials.He said he still wants to play competitive football at the highest level and thinks that at the age of 31, he still has what it takes to be among the best players on that level.Benjamin joined Hamburg SV in 2001 and was among the first from Namibia, alongside Razundara Tjikuzu, to play professional football in the Bundesliga.Asked which other clubs he would be interested in playing for, Benjamin said he could play for any side in the English, Spanish, Italian or French leagues.’You see I am only 31 years of old and still have a lot to offer. I can play for anyone anywhere. There is nothing that can really hold me back and it will be great to keep on playing because I don’t see myself retiring soon,’ he said.He ruled out a move to the African leagues, saying that he might just as well call it quits if he is forced to return to Namibia or neighbouring South Africa or any other country on the continent.’At this point, there is no way that I can settle for second best. I have to play at the top level as much as possible. Personally it is fulfilling to keep on playing while I’m still healthy. I don’t have any major injuries, so I don’t see any reason why I cannot give it my best,’ he said.But he pointed out that he is still contracted to Hamburg and will help the team to achieve their objectives for the current league campaign.Benjamin formerly played for Civics in Namibia from 1996 to 1998, before he joined TuS Germania Schnelsen and FC Elmshorn in the German lower divisions before he hit the big time. He has played in 138 matches for Hamburg SV to date, with a total of 13 goals.He has 32 national team caps and has scored two goals in competitive international appearances. corry@namibian.com.na

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