This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
Published on July 6, 2019
Kenyan football team Kariobangi Sharks is gearing up for a high-profile friendly match against English Premier League side Everton at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani on Sunday.
Sharks captain Eric Juma emphasized that the team's primary aim is not to win the match but to collect as many lessons as possible from the visiting team.
"The opportunity to play for Everton is in itself a big deal. We are not going for results. That is not our primary aim. We appreciate that they are on a different level, and we appreciate the fact that they have come to play with us. But they should expect a challenge from us," Juma said.
Founded in 2000 by a group of ambitious young men, Kariobangi Sharks rose up the ranks and gained premier league status in 2016 after beating Nzoia Sugar 1-0 in the National Super League play-off.
Sharks coach William Muluya, who started coaching at the age of 14, expressed his excitement about the upcoming match, saying that many of his players want to play against Everton but are looking forward to the game on Sunday to learn from the visiting team.
The team won the 2019 edition of the SportPesa Cup, which took place in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, in January, and earned the right to play against Everton.
