Yaya Toure
Ivorian international Yaya Toure joined City in August 2010 after a summer move from Barcelona. The move to City reunited Yaya with his elder brother Kolo, who had signed from Arsenal the summer before and as a result of his first season at the Etihad, Yaya was awarded the 2011 African Player of the Year and won the same award a year later.
He capped a fine first campaign by scoring the winning goal in both the semi-final and the final of the FA Cup, which led City to trophy success for the first time in 35 years and he has already clocked up 134 appearances for the Blues as well as winning 78 caps for The Elephants.
Patrick Vieira
Though Patrick Vieira represented France with great distinction for many years, he was born in Senegal and could have chosen to play in the Africa Cup of Nations instead of the European Championships had he decided to go with his birth nation.
Vieira joined City from Inter Milan in 2010 initially on a six-month contract, with the World Cup winner adding vital experience to Roberto Mancini’s side. After retiring as a player in 2011, he became Football Development Executive before moving into his first coaching job as boss of the Blues’ EDS in 2013.
Abdul Razak
As a youngster, Ivory Coast-born Abdul Razak travelled to England for a trial with Crystal Palace. He was eventually signed by City and enjoyed a couple of seasons with the EDS before being loaned out to Portsmouth, Brighton and Charlton. With three caps for the Ivory Coast to date, he will hope to really make an impression during the coming months, though more time out on loan cannot be ruled out.
Mohammed Abu
In August 2010 City signed Ghanaian international, Mohammed Abu but the 21-year-old has spent almost all of his time since out on loan with a succession of clubs across Europe.
He has played for Norwegian outfit Stromgodset, Eintracht Frankfurt, Rayo Vallecano and joined French club FC Lorient in February 2013
...African connections part II...
Capped on four occasions by Ghana he is yet to play for City.
Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely
In January 2008, City signed Liberian striker Alex Nimely from Cameroonian side Cotonsport Garoua. It was a further two years before he made the bench for the first team in a 6-1 victory over Burnley in April 2010. In a bid for first-team experience, he spent time on loan with Middlesbrough, Coventry and Crystal Palace adding a combined 29 appearances to his career total.
Born in Liberia, Alex was called up for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers but rejected the offer as he wanted to play for England where his father was born and has since made three appearances for the England Under-20s as well as winning selection for the England U21s, though injury meant he had to withdraw from the squad.
