This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On Friday, July 5, 2019, Everton, the Liverpool-based English Premier League side, arrived in Nairobi for a historic trip, marking the first time the team has visited Kenya.
The highlight of their visit was a highly anticipated pre-season friendly match against Kariobangi Sharks, a high-flying SportPesa Premier League club, at the 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday from 4pm.
During the visit, Everton also planned to donate used uniforms and merchandise to underprivileged teams through the Kits for Africa initiative and launch an Everton fans club in Nairobi.
Leon Osman, a 38-year-old former Everton player, who enjoyed a 16-year stint with the team until 2016, scoring 43 goals in 352 appearances and winning a runners-up medal in the FA Cup during the 2008/2009 season, expressed his expectations about the match.
"It should be a very lively game even though we (Everton) just started pre-season training on Monday," Osman said during Thursday's press briefing.
"The (visiting) squad is not announced yet but we have some first-team players available including new signing Andre Gomes who is coming in from Barcelona. We also have some talented lads who should get an opportunity to play. From what I have heard Sharks have a young and talented squad so this is a game worth watching," Osman added.
Former Everton player Steven Pieenar, also an ex-South Africa international, echoed Osman's sentiments, saying, "I watched Sharks in Tanzania (during the SportPesa Cup) and they are a side with a lot of positive energy and a team that tries to play football in an attractive way. That's partly why I am excited about Sunday's match."
Match organisers SportPesa have also unveiled a range of activities on the day of the match, including entertainment by local and international artists under the close supervision of popular disc jockey Kris Darling.
"It will be a family fun day with those of entertainment and I want to invite everyone to Kasarani as early as 10am to have fun," explained SportPesa Chief Marketing Officer Kelvin Twissa.
