Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised the attitude and attributes of African players.
Wenger is celebrating his 20th anniversary at Arsenal has managed a number of African players over the years both as Arsenal manager and earlier at Monaco
“African players had a massive impact on my career because I always managed them right from the moment I started in the top league in France,” said responding to a question from BBC Africa Wenger.
“I had African players at Monaco and I like the fact that they were creative and they are usually attacking players with imagination. They have pace and power as well, and they usually combine strength and agility well. That’s very difficult to find.
“Africans are hugely passionate people and there is a big passion in Africa for the game. They are happy on the football pitch and that’s something which has been fantastic for us.
“Kanu had a massive impact here, Kolo Toure too, I had George Weah too… so all these players had a massive impact.”
Former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp admitted in an interview in 2011 that Wenger had convinced him to sign former Zimbabwean international Benjani Mwaruwari from French side AJ Auxerre.
