Kenya Football .:. Story - Blues Boss Puzzled By Mariga Decision

Roberto Mancini remains baffled at the decision to deny highly-rated Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga a work permit on transfer deadline day.

With a deal in place and personal terms agreed, the deal to bring Mariga to the club collapsed when he was denied the papers to work in the UK and player subsequently joined Inter Milan. The Blues’ boss reckons Inter’s gain is very much City and the Premier League’s loss.

“We had two or three targets but our main aim was to bring Mariga to the club,” said Mancini. “We couldn’t see any problems so to have the panel rule against granting him a work permit is, I believe, an incredible decision.

(Man-City Boss Roberto Mancini)

“He is a young player and Kenya’s most important footballer and considering he’s played in Sweden and Italy for the past six years and with relations between Kenya and Britain strong, I just cannot understand why he had his application was refused.

“All the top teams in Italy and many others in Europe wanted him so it is very disappointing when we had agreed a deal.”

While missing out on Mariga has been a source of frustration for the manager who was keen to add to his midfield options, at least he has a couple of players returning from injury who can lighten the workload mainly shouldered by Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong for much of the campaign.

“Things are improving with Patrick Vieira and Wayne Bridge recovering from injury and when Micah Richards returns, we also have the option of playing Pablo Zabaleta in midfield, too,” he said.

No.

TEAM

Pts

Ulinzi

Tusker

SofapakaFC

Gor

Mathare

Sher K. FC

Thika Utd

-3

AFC SC

-7

Sony FC

-2

W. Stima

-6

NBI City S

-6

Rangers FC

-9

KCB

-8

Red Berets

-5

MahakamaFC

-7

Chemelil

-10

Total

346

110

126

110

339

456