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The Thai Premier League-boosted by increasing sponsorship, popular support and financial backing from politicians and corporate millionaire chairmen-is on the rise. TPL champions Buriram United defeated the top teams of the Japanese and Chinese leagues in its first two Asian Champions League matches last month, an achievement unimaginable a few years ago. Through the improvements made by Thai players and tacticians, and the expertise of foreign managers and high-profile signings such as Muangthong United�s acquisition of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler last year, one group of players� contribution to the TPL has been quietly crucial to its rising profile. Almost every TPL team has at least one African player on its books, and some have half a dozen-players that add foreign experience, tactical adaptability and physicality to the team�s options. Despite a rule change this year that allows only three foreign players plus one extra foreign player from within Asia on the pitch at one time (the �3+1 rule�), Africans are still highly valued by the clubs-with over 30 African players currently on the books of TPL teams and dozens more in the lower leagues. Many arrive here still in their teens, and in a sense grow up in Thailand, adapting well to local life, culture and footballing tactics. An increasing number even stay in Thailand following their retirement from football. All of which raises some questions-where do the players come from, how do they get here and how do they adapt and fit in? Spectrum talked to players and experts on the subject to find out. THE AGENT Obinna Nnodim, who goes locally by the name Emmanuel, went professional in 2000, playing for Nigeria�s Julius Berger (now Bridge Boys) for five seasons as a commanding central defender. He made a high-profile move to Dolphins FC, playing in the Confederation of African Football Champions League Cup and Confederation Cup, before commencing a journeyman�s trail-to Kuala Lumpur�s now-defunct Plus, returning to Nigeria with Dolphins� Port Harcourt rivals Sharks FC, before stints in Vietnam and Oman. Persistent knee problems saw him arrive in Thailand for medical care. Worried about his viability as a player following reconstructive surgery, he began considering a career change. He still had many contacts in Nigeria as well as Ghana and Cameroon, knew of many players considering a move to Asia, and began sounding out local clubs interested in foreign talent to add depth and versatility to their squads. For the Wanta academy, he helped bring over former teammate Jacob Aikhionbare, who played for Thai Port and now Big Bang Chula United, as well as several other players. We meet on a hot day beneath Rajamangala National Stadium. There are pick-up games outside the stadium and he takes an interest in the players. �Most are too lazy,� Nnodim says. He says the 3+1 rule change implemented in the TPL this year won�t affect his business too much. �If a player is good enough, the coach will see that.� The rule change might be good for Thai youth development, he admits, but real progress will only come through a more international footballing mentality. While the game in Thailand is improving, he still sees it as inferior to the game in Malaysia, where �the players are stronger�. �In Thailand, they whistle for fouls too much. It slows down the pace of the game.� Despite such problems, he feels that the league is definitely improving, with larger crowds and more money at play. �There is glamour in the Thai game now, and a good atmosphere.� He says he is quite content living in Thailand. In terms of food and climate, it�s not a difficult adjustment. �Adjusting to the Thai game is also not so difficult,� he says. �Communication is important, but it�s the same thing to overcome in Germany or any other foreign league. Nnodim watched another foreign import, Robbie Fowler, closely during his stint at Muangthong last year. �His movement and passing were good. He showed his quality. He�s a very smart player, didn�t have much of the ball, which saves him from rough tackles, but had good movement on and off the ball.� He says players can learn from such seasoned veterans, and the league can benefit from the international exposure. The foundation to a successful league, though, will remain solid fundamentals and hard work, with technical quality and a never give up attitude. �Why does [Lionel] Messi just keep on scoring?� he asks. �Because he�s a genius?� Nnodim shakes his head in disappointment. �Because he works harder than everyone else.� He admits it�s frustrating when one of his players doesn�t make the cut. �They have to work harder; a foreigner has to show to the Thais why he�s being paid.� The cultural adjustments are not as big an obstacle as the bureaucratic problems if a player doesn�t have a team lined up. �If a player has a contract with a team, he can get a visa and work permit. Many players don�t have a visa, and with the rule change many can�t find a team.� As a result, some players pay intermediaries to get them a visa, which can be very expensive. �It�s most difficult for goalkeepers,� Nnodim says, as only one can play on the pitch at a time and foreign keepers seem more affected by the rule change than outfield players. The Thai League, though, can be a good stepping stone to Europe, he adds. Buriram�s �two Franks�, Frank Acheampong, 18, from Ghana and Franck Ohandza, 20, from Cameroon, both national youth team players for their countries, are likely to make the transition to Europe in the future, he says. THE MANAGER Belgian Robert Procureur was a part owner and general manager of Muangthong before moving on to BEC-Tero Sasana. He has also been responsible for bringing several African players to the TPL, through a network of scouts and ties with academies in francophone countries. Why the popularity of African players? �It�s the same in leagues everywhere,� he says. �With Africans you get good footballing quality and technical ability for a low price.� For players coming from countries such as Cameroon, Senegal and Ivory Coast, from where he draws most of his players, getting a visa to play in Europe is difficult. The attraction of Thailand for them is that �the weather and lifestyle are similar, but the salary is higher than back home�. Is playing in Asia a good career move? �It�s not necessarily easier to get noticed here than in Africa,� Mr Procureur says, �since there are a lot of scouts from the European leagues in Africa, but there are so many footballers there, it�s not always easy to stand out.� Successful transfers to Europe include Ivorians Yaya Soumahoro, now 22, a left winger and attacking midfielder who moved from Muangthong to KAA Gent in Belgium�s Jupiler Pro League for an estimated 500,000 transfer fee in 2010, and Kafoumba Coulibaly, 26, a midfielder who moved from BEC-Tero to SC Bastia in 2007 and Ligue 1 team OGC Nice the following year. He has 10 caps for the Ivory Coast and has a current market value of 2.5 million (101 million baht) according to TransferMarkt.com. �Many of the players, even when they finish their careers, they stay in Thailand.� He says that the new 3+1 rule is changing his approach to recruitment, with more of an emphasis on Asian players. While the adjustment period for African footballers in the league is rather short, he says, others such as Japanese players, take a longer time to make the necessary cultural and technical adjustments.