To many, the Real Madrid side that started the season was complete and ready to take the bull (Barca) by its horns. There was a missing link, the final part of the Los Merengues jigsaw. The team might be inspired by a Portuguese born Galactico but in Mourinho’s past glories, African strikers have been the mainstay.
Mourinho had his way when super-rich Manchester City agreed to loan out Togolese football icon and may work on getting him permanently. Mourinho’s greatest African partnership has been the strikers.
It was under the Special One's watchfull eye when South African goalpoacher Benni McCarthy first reached his full potential. Amongst other goals he scored, his brace against Manchester United was fundamental in securing a historic UEFA Champions League triumph for a club of Porto’s calibre. Benni rippled the nets 20 times in 23 games to walk away with the Portuguese Golden Boot award. Though Mourinho tried to sign him for Chelsea when he was at Ewood Park, his efforts proved futile.
Upon arrival at Chelsea, his 24 million pound purchase of Drogba was seen as a waste of money for a less known Ivorian hitman. Drogba proved his critics wrong, leading Chelsea's strikeforce with power and precision. The African predator fired in 33 goals to land the English League Golden Boot award in May 2007, having scored winning goals in the FA Cup and the Football League Cup.
Under the tutelage of Mourinho, Drogba took home the highly –prized African Footballer of the year award in 2006. On his unceremonious departure from Chelsea, Mourinho spoke highly and boldly about Drogba. “You are the one who have made me most proud.“ said Mourinho. When things went sour at the Bridge, Drogba lamented; “I want to leave Chelsea, something is broken with Chelsea, the damage is big in the dressing room.”
At the San Siro, Mou welcomed “the lion of Africa” by saying; “I wanted him at Chelsea but failed to have him, I m very satisfied to have him with us.” Playing on the right side of the frontline, Eto’e’s class and mobility was vital in helping Inter conquer Europe and stop an insatiable Barcelona side that was attempting to run riot again. Jose Mourinho guided the Nerazzuri to a record treble and Samuel Eto’e once again won Africa’s best individual award.
At the San Siro, Mou welcomed “the lion of Africa” by saying; “I wanted him at Chelsea but failed to have him, I m very satisfied to have him with us.” Playing on the right side of the frontline, Eto’e’s class and mobility was vital in helping Inter conquer Europe and stop an insatiable Barcelona side that was attempting to run riot again. Jose Mourinho guided the Nerazzuri to a record treble and Samuel Eto’e once again won Africa’s best individual award.
With Adebayor now on board, Mou has an African striker he is confident of. The Portuguese tactician spoke highly of Adebayor; “We decided to give him a chance and he demonstrated why he is here, Adebayor saw his dream come true, he scored the first ball he touched at home.” Adebayor has already scored 2 goals in 3 games.
Despite his rare tactical shrewdness, Mourinho is a supreme motivator, philosopher and a role model. Drogba could’nt hide the pain of losing him at Chelsea and said plainly; “Mourinho’s departure destroys a certain familiarity we had at the club, many of us used to play and foremost for the manager, now we must forget the feeling and find another source of motivation."
vusmann10@yahoo.com, vusmann@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment