Mourinho’s joy as Mariga finally arrives home

Inter Milan head coach Jose Mourinho is over the moon after landing Kenyan international McDonald Mariga from Parma.

Mounrinho, who had been tracking Mariga since the season began, told the club’s website that the highly-rated youngster would help strengthen the Italian giants’ midfield.

“He’s a player with a bright future and I’m happy to have landed him to San Siro. Mariga will restore the balance left by the departure of Patrick Vieira,” “The Special One” said.

“He’s an extra option in midfield. We have Rene Krhin back in midfield too and we have regained this balance that we lost with the departure of Patrick [Vieira] and the injuries.

“Mariga trained with us for the first time today [Tuesday]; we know he is back from an injury but he seems fit to play.”

And on the Kenyan’s prospects of making the first team, Mourinho said: “He’s not a finished product and I like him for this because he’s young, he has to grow. He’s for today, but also for the future. He has to work a lot to get to the top but I like him.”

The club’s president, Massimo Moratti, has become the latest victim of a racist attack after his villa was vandalised by criminals. Italian newspaper La Republica reported on Wednesday that vandals sprayed the words “No more negros” on the gates of Moratti’s home in the province of Lecco, near Milan.

Speculative coverage suggests the incident is linked with the arrival of Mariga. It’s not the first time the club have been affected by such problems. Mario Balotelli has often been a victim of racism this term, with some of the abuse coming from his own fans.

Inter have not spoken publicly about the latest attack. Mariga arrives at San Siro to a full plate as February is a busy time for Inter, with seven matches up to the end of the month. There are a lot of matches to play in all three competitions and there are weeks with three league matches, which means a maximum of nine points are on offer.

Inter are an improved team compared to last year’s. While Mariga might not be a household name in world football, like most of his team mates – like Samuel Eto’o, Marco Materazzi, Ricardo Quaresma, or even Mario Balotelli – are, he’s confident of impressing his manager.

‘I will make it’

“Football is a matter of working hard and trying to defy all odds. And injuries notwithstanding, I believe I will make it [be a regular player] in the end,” Mariga, 22, said on phone from Milan. “I had some light training with the team and it went on quite well.”

He recounted how Prime Minister Raila Odinga called him regarding his work permit. He said: “He [Odinga] called me on Monday evening to tell me how much he had tried to secure me a work permit. But by that time the transfer window had closed.”

The Premier had disclosed this at a press conference at his Treasury office on Tuesday, adding that all was not lost as the FA president, David Triesman, had assured him that Mariga could join any Premiership club from this May.