The rejuvenated striker has found a new lease of life under the former Inter Milan chief and dismisses the notion that the quality of the recent opposition has offered an easy ride.
“I think every game so far has been a real test because nobody in England knew a great deal about the manager before he came to City,” he said.
“People knew he’d been very successful in Italy but were unsure how he’d do in the Premier League. But we’ve won every game so far in a very professional way and he has started life in England extremely well.”
Saturday’s trip to Everton promises to be Mancini’s stiffest test so far, but Benjani is confident of continuing the Blues’ unbeaten run on Merseyside.
“When you are doing well people want to know if you are the real deal or whether it’s down to a run of good fortune,” he said.
“They’ll be watching to see how we perform at difficult places like Everton, but as long as we concentrate and get our tactics right, I think we’ll leave Goodison Park with a good result.”
After setting up three goals in Monday’s 4-1 win over Blackburn and scoring at Middlesbrough, Benji is also aiming for an extended run in the team despite some fierce competition.
He said: “I’ve had so many injuries since joining City and missed so many games, it’s been tough to maintain a challenge for a place. But I’ll always go out and give 100 per cent for the team.”
Benji revealed he has spoken to fellow City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, now back home in Togo following the terror attack on Togo’s team bus at the African Nations Cup in Angola.
He said: “He’s very down, which is only to be expected. When somebody has been through that kind of experience, all you can do is to give them courage and show support. I hope I’ve helped.
“I feel their pain, being from the same continent and Manu being so close to us all. I hope the competition will recover. There are still many players out there including Kolo Toure, and we are just praying nothing else happens and that they all come home safely.”
