Inter’s Mourinho snaps up Mariga

Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga at the Parma FC training camp in Colleccio, Italy. Mariga’s bid to play in the English Premier League with Manchester City was nipped in the bud yesterday when the UK government denied him a work permit. But Italy’s top club, Inter Milan, were quick to sign him last night.

What you need to know:

  • Plan to join Man City flops but Parma man lands one-and-a-half year deal at San Siro

McDonald Mariga went to bed early Monday night in frustration after his planned move from Italian Serie ‘A’ club Parma to English Premier League outfit Manchester City - the richest football team in the world - failed.

But then his mobile telephone rang with uplifting news from his manager that Italy’s top club, Inter Milan, were taking him up on a one-and-a-half year contract.

City’s £7 million (Sh840m) bid for the talented Harambee Stars midfielder’s signature collapsed after the star was denied a work permit due to Kenya’s low placing in the Fifa world rankings.

Just like a pack of cards, the 23-year-old’s dream of playing in the EPL came tumbling down.

“What have I done to surely deserve this? It was my dream, really, to play in England and to be denied a work permit just because of the Fifa ranking of my national team is too much to bear,” said a dejected Mariga on telephone from Italy earlier Monday.

But then came the good news from the San Siro, home of Inter and their city rivals, AC Milan, that he would, after all, be playing for a top European club.

Inter are coached by the flamboyant Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho, and Mariga’s move from Parma’s Tardini home to Mourinho’s Guisseppe Meazza Stadium (popularly known as the San Siro) underscores the Kenyan’s talent.

Mourinho doesn’t sign any Tom, Dick or Harry.

Midfielder Cristian Ledesma failed to move to Inter from Lazio, thus facilitating Mariga’s move to the San Siro.

“While this might not be the best move that I wanted, at least, it’s a good move. All the same, I wish to urge our footballing officials to make sure they end the on-going wrangles,” said Mariga after accepting the one-and-half year Sh265m deal.

“I also urge my fellow players to aim high in their careers. This a long journey and we must all walk the walk,” he added.

Invaluable friendlies

To qualify for a UK work permit automatically, the player, usually represented by his club and lawyer, must provide written evidence that he has represented his country in 75 percent of competitive, national team matches in the past two years, and that the country is currently ranked in Fifa’s top 70 listing.

If the player fails in that regard, there is an appeal process that may grant him a work permit.

“We spent a lot of time with Harambee Stars playing invaluable friendly matches outside the Fifa calendar that must have cost us our good place in the rankings,” Mariga said yesterday.

The British government does not grant permits to non-European Union players whose country is ranked below 70.

Kenya is ranked 98th in the latest world standings.

Mariga had signed a three-year contract with City a last week, although it was kept under wraps.

The club has been working to get Mariga’s work permit to play in England but yesterday, City’s Italian coach, Roberto Mancini, informed him that it was rejected by the Football Association (FA).

“I was called by Mancini and he informed me of the proceedings. It’s devastating, man! “Imenichukua time mingi sana kuwa hapa, so unaeza imagine vile nafeel. (It has taken me a lot of time to be where I am now, so you can imagine how I’m feeling),” added Mariga.

“I am disappointed because the work permit is something that I can’t do anything about, being so close and not getting it is indeed disappointing.

“But it’s not the end of the world. I will still continue to work hard for my country and my club, Parma, who have been very supportive,” he added before the call came through from Inter Milan.

The national football governing body, Football Kenya Limited (FKL), has consequently come under intense ridicule and blame for Mariga’s predicament, owing to the wrangles which have dogged Kenyan football.

Combative force

“How can a player be denied a work permit simply because we’re ranked poorly? FKL are to blame for this as they’ve always been interested in wrangles. How else can you explain a drop from 68th to 98th position in just one year?” posed David Mutaa, a football fan.

The six-foot-two-inch marauding midfielder would have provided a combative force at the heart of Mancini’s midfield.

The Eastlands boss moved for Mariga after growing frustrated in a bid for Real Madrid’s Fernando Gago.

Mariga joined Parma on a permanent basis in the summer of 2008, after initially moving on loan from Sweden’s Helsingborgs, and the 22-year-old has made nine league appearances for the club this season. He is under contract with the Serie A outfit until June 2012.

City boss Mancini had confirmed on Sunday night that he hoped to clinch a deal for Mariga, who could become the first Kenyan player to play in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old Mariga first made his mark in Swedish football with Enkoping and Helsingborgs before moving to Parma, initially on loan, and then in a £1.9m (Sh228m) deal.