Last Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:00
Sunderland striker Benjani is keen to turn his loan stay at the Stadium of Light into a permanent move in the summer.
Benjani joined Steve Bruce's side on loan for the rest of the season in January after failing to break into the starting line-up at Manchester City.
The Zimbabwean international admits it will be tough to usurp Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones in the Sunderland attack but is confident he can do enough to secure a permanent move to Wearside in the summer.
He said: "I need to play so I am pleased to be here, and hopefully I will have more time on the pitch. There are a lot of good players at Manchester City and when that happens it can be very difficult - the only way forward is to work hard.
"It is the same here. You saw the performance of Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent on Saturday. They were very good.
"If they keep performing like this then it is going to be very hard to get into the team.
"Manchester City bought a lot of expensive players and so it was difficult to get time on the pitch, that is why I came somewhere else.
"The idea with this move is that I have to prove I can do something for the long term.
"If I do well I would like to stay here."