Edgar Davids in town

At his peak, Davids was regarded as the best defensive midfielder in the world. Courtesy Photo

KAMPALA. Ex-Barcelona stars Patrick Kluivert and Luis Garcia have been here recently and are delighted to return in December to feature in an exhibition match between Barcelona Legends and the Uganda Cranes.
In the same vein, former Netherlands and Barca legend Edgar Davids is in town as part of preparations to establish a soccer academy under the Rayco Garcia Foundation.
“Edgar is excited to be here,” said Rayco Garcia, the architect of the highly anticipated match, and has been with Davids in China for the La Liga BBVA International Expansion project.
“He has heard of what Kluivert (Patrick) and Garcia (Luis) came for in Uganda and is eager to be part of the project.”
Davids, who was famed for his aggressive marking and tackling, and hence nicknamed ‘Pitbull’ by current Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal, reached Kampala last night from Dubai to launch the Uganda Cranes-Barcelona match and the Rayco Garcia Football Academy. He is in Uganda on a two-day visit.

Who is Davids?
Davids is remembered for his long dreadlocks and protective goggles he wore during matches due to an eye condition called glaucoma. As one of the many great talents from Ajax Amsterdam, he began his illustrious career under Van Gaal, before joining AC Milan in 1996.
However, it was at Juventus, which he joined the following season, where he established himself as arguably the world’s best defensive midfielder in a quality side that had Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi. Former Juventus manager Marcello Lippi once described Davids as “my one-man engine room.”
In January 2004, fellow Dutchman Frank Rijkaard hired David’s temporary services. Barcelona was wallowing in mid-table, but Davids’ midfield artistry reinvigorated the Catalans, finishing second to Rafa Benitez’s Valencia. This was the advent of a Barca side which has dominated European football, since.
Rayco Garcia, a former Barcelona trainee and Leeds United footballer who career was halted by injury, will use proceeds of the match to build a fully-fledged football academy in Uganda. He believes Uganda has potential talent to scale the heights of Davids. Last month Rayco held a fundraising dinner, graced by Luis Garcia, and raised Shs27.6m. President Museveni, Uganda Tourism Board, the Insurance Company of East Africa, KCCA, Sheraton Hotel and Nile Breweries are supporting the cause.

Factfile of the ex-star most known as ‘pitbull’

Name: Edgar Steven Davids
DOB: March 13,1973 (42)
Birth place: Paramaribo, Suriname
Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position: Defensive midfielder
1991–1996 Ajax 106 (20)
1996–1997 Milan 19 (0)
1997–2004 Juventus 159 (8)
2004 Barcelona (loan) 18 (1)
2004–2005 Inter Milan 14 (0)
2005–2007 Tottenham 40 (1)
2007–2008 25 (1)
2010 Crystal Palace 6 (0)
2012–2014 Barnet 36 (1)
Total 423 (32) *Only league goals
National team
1994–2005 Netherlands 74 (6)