Mariga: “I signed a contract with Manchester City”

Former Kenyan international Mcdonald Mariga on how Kenya’s low FIFA ranking blocked him to become the first Kenyan player to play the English Premier League in 2010.

“I left Parma and went to Manchester City direct, they brought me a private jet,” Mariga said in an interview with Radio 47.

“My agent and I arrived in Manchester, I did a medical and signed the contract but at that time, the rules were that you must have played 70 per cent of matches for your national team and I ticked that box. The problem was our rankings.

“Our rankings denied me the opportunity to play for City. I stayed there for five days trying to sort this issue but it was not possible to get a work permit”

“All coaches in Italy put in a good word for me. They said I am talented, disciplined but we still did not succeed.

“I was so annoyed, and I was returned to Parma via the same private jet that took me to Manchester.”