MONROVIA, Montserrado – President George Manneh Weah has bestowed the nation’s highest honor on French football coach Arsene Wenger during a Flag Day honoring ceremony on Friday, August 24.
According to the citation read, Wenger was being honored because he “recruited some of the finest soccer professionals the world may ever know, including World Best, European Best, and Africa’s Best, His Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah, president of the Republic of Liberia…”
Wenger was inducted into the Humane Order of African Redemption at the Knight Grand Commander level. The only other level higher than that is reserved for presidents of the republic.
Wenger was honored along with another French football coach, Claude Le Roy. Three Liberian coaches were also honored, including Frank Jericho Nagbe, Dominique George, and Gbour Wilson.
Wenger is a former coach of English Premier League club Arsenal. Both he and Le Roy arrived in the country on Wednesday, August 22 via the Roberts International Airport in Margibi. On Thursday, August 23, the two French coaches, along with the president, were present at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville to witness a friendly match between the Monrovia Football Academy and Cece United Football Academy. Wenger was also welcomed by the Arsenal Supporters Club with a friendly match against the Manchester United Supporters Club of Liberia.
Former Montserrado Senatorial Aspirant, Bernard “DJ Blue†Benson poses with members of the Arsenal Supporters Club, Liberia. Photo: Anthony Kokoi
Weah left Liberia for greener pastures in 1987 when he signed for Cameroonian club, Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaounde. During his time in Cameroon, he was spotted by Claude Le Roy, who was the head coach of the Cameroon national team. Claude Le Roy is believed to have recommended Weah to Wenger, who signed him for French League One club Monaco. Weah spent four years with Monaco and scored 47 goals in 103 appearances before departing for their rival Paris Saint Germain in 1992.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
