This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
Everton, an English Premier League side, has begun preparations for their upcoming friendly match against Kariobangi Sharks, a Kenyan Premier League club, scheduled for Sunday in Nairobi.
The match will take place at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, but as of early Monday afternoon, the organizers, SportPesa, had yet to release Everton's itinerary.
On Monday morning, Everton players resumed pre-season training after a month-long break following the conclusion of the 2018/2019 English Premier League season.
Photos shared on the club's social media pages show the squad, including England international Theo Walcott, heading towards the Finch Farm training grounds in Liverpool.
Defender Mason Holgate expressed his enthusiasm for the new season in a Twitter post, saying, 'It's been a while, glad to be back. I am looking forward to pre-season and what the season ahead brings.'
Meanwhile, Kariobangi Sharks have continued their preparations at the team's Utalii grounds training base along the Thika Superhighway in Nairobi.
The club has also announced that Ezekiel Seda, a former AFC Leopards midfielder, will now serve as the senior team's new assistant coach.
On Sunday, Everton will face Kariobangi Sharks for the third time, with the previous two meetings against Gor Mahia resulting in 2-1 and 4-0 victories for Everton.
Star players, including Leighton Baines, Yerry Mina, Ademola Lookman, Maarten Stekelenburg, and new signing Adre Gomes, are expected to make the trip to Nairobi, marking the first time an EPL club has visited the city in over two and a half decades.
