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| Thousands line up to receive Wenger [COURTESY] |
Wenger arrived in Liberia
on Wednesday evening
on Wednesday evening
It comes after Weah, the
former World Footballer of the Year who was elected as his country’s leader
last year in a landslide victory, decided to honour both Wenger and another
coach, Claude Le Roy.
former World Footballer of the Year who was elected as his country’s leader
last year in a landslide victory, decided to honour both Wenger and another
coach, Claude Le Roy.
He was given a warm
welcome when he touched down in the town of Harbel
welcome when he touched down in the town of Harbel
Wenger, 68, was given a
warm welcome when he touched down in the town of Harbel shortly after 9 pm, and
is set to become a Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African
Redemption.
warm welcome when he touched down in the town of Harbel shortly after 9 pm, and
is set to become a Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African
Redemption.
According to information
minister Eugene Nagbe, the Frenchman has been awarded the distinction because
he “has contributed to sports in Africa and has given many Africans opportunities”
minister Eugene Nagbe, the Frenchman has been awarded the distinction because
he “has contributed to sports in Africa and has given many Africans opportunities”
Le Roy discovered Weah
when operating as Cameroon manager in the late 1980s.
when operating as Cameroon manager in the late 1980s.
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Upon Le Roy’s
recommendation, Wenger signed Weah when manager of Monaco in 1988, paying
Cameroonian club Tonnerre Yaounde £12,000 for the striker.
recommendation, Wenger signed Weah when manager of Monaco in 1988, paying
Cameroonian club Tonnerre Yaounde £12,000 for the striker.
Weah, now 51, has
labelled Wenger as one of the most important men in his career.
labelled Wenger as one of the most important men in his career.
In a 2007 interview with
the Telegraph, Weah stated: “Arsene Wenger made me not just the player I
am today but the man I am.”
the Telegraph, Weah stated: “Arsene Wenger made me not just the player I
am today but the man I am.”
Weah has labelled Wenger
as one of the most important men in his career
as one of the most important men in his career
The award ceremony will
take place in the country’s capital, Monrovia, on Friday.
take place in the country’s capital, Monrovia, on Friday.
However, Weah’s decision
to honour Wenger has been widely-criticised by his government’s opposition.
to honour Wenger has been widely-criticised by his government’s opposition.
MP Darius Dillon said:
“The nation’s highest honour cannot be given to somebody who has not done
something directly for the country.”
“The nation’s highest honour cannot be given to somebody who has not done
something directly for the country.”