Icon Fowler full of praise for Africans in Premier League

KAMPALA. At the peak of his powers, Liverpool fans nicknamed him ‘God’.
It wasn’t blasphemy but sheer affection for a man who plundered 163 English Premier League goals through spells at Liverpool, Leeds Utd and Man City.
Yesterday at 2:30pm, Robbie Fowler touched down at Entebbe Airport and was visibly delighted to be in Uganda for the very first time.
“Uganda is warm,” Fowler noted in his first remarks at a press conference in the VIP Lounge.
He acknowledged the popularity of the Premiership world over and highlighted his second-coming at Liverpool as one of the proudest moments of his illustrious career. The sixth all-time EPL top scorer praised the contribution of African footballers in the world’s most watched league, citing names from different eras.
“They (African players) have been good to the Premier League,” he observed. “There was Song (Rigobert) in my time and many others. But players like Drogba (Didier), Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane have been delight to our game.”
The former England international, who is tipping Man City to defend the EPL title, is in Uganda on a visit organised by Barclays Bank.
He will be a guest of the Bank’s activations today before watching a Man City-Bournemouth match with fans tomorrow.

Fowler brings Premiership charm

Clad in a black t-shirt and grey jeans, Robbie Fowler popped out through the VIP lounge upon touching down at Entebbe Airport yesterday.
At about 2:30pm, the Liverpool legend was greeted by a few officials and later, a traditional dance group as well as a small crowd of reporters in the parking before wheeling away to the capital city.
In partnership with Barclays Bank, the 43-year-old, who won a unique treble with Liverpool in the 2000-01 season, is in Uganda on a three-day visit to launch the #SuperfansUnited campaign where a fan could win a trip to watch a Premier League game next May. Fowler, who is best remembered for his time at the Merseyside giants, is the sixth highest goal scorer in the history of the Premier League.
“As an ex-player of the English Premier League, I am so excited to be visiting the country,” Fowler said. “I have never been here before, so I am really looking forward to that. I know the passion for the premier league is magnificent and I am looking forward to spending some quality time with all the fans,” he added in a press conference.
He will have a media engagement as well as a meet-and-greet today before the gist of his visit at Lugogo Mall tomorrow. He will conduct a football clinic with youngsters of the Brian Umony Foundation.

Fowler at a glance

Full name: Robert Bernard Fowler
Date of birth: April 9, 1975 (43 years)
Place of birth: Toxteth, Liverpool, England
Height: 5ft 9in (1.75 m)
Playing position: Striker
Club CV
1993-2001: Liverpool 236 (120 goals)
20012003: Leeds Utd 30 (14)
2003-2006: Man City 80 (21)
2006-2007: Liverpool 30 (8)
2007-2008: Cardiff City 13 (4)
2008: Blackburn Rovers 3 (0)
2009-2010: N. Queensland Fury 26 (9)
2010-2011: Perth Glory 28 (9)
2011-2012: Muangthong United 13 (2)

FOWLER ITINERARY

THURSDAY: Arrives in the afternoon
FRIDAY: Press engagements and meet-and-greet in the evening
SATURDAY: Activation at Barclays Superfans Club Dome, Premier League match viewing in the evening
SUNDAY: Visit to Brian Umony academy kids at KCCA stadium