This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
On Sunday, Kariobangi Sharks will face a major test as they take on English Premier League side Everton in a friendly match at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani. The match, which has generated a lot of excitement in Kariobangi, a low-cost housing area in Kenya, is expected to be a closely contested affair.
According to the team's captain, Eric Juma, the players are not going for results, but rather looking 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 has come a long way since its inception. The team rose up the ranks and gained premier league status in 2016 after beating Nzoia Sugar 1-0 in the National Super League play-off. The team's coach, William Muluya, has expressed his excitement about the match, saying that the players are looking forward to learning from the visiting team.
"I know for a fact that many Kariobangi Sharks players want to play against Everton. But because that's not immediately possible, I know that they are all looking forward to the game on Sunday, because there will be a lot of lessons to learn," Muluya said.
The match is a result of Kariobangi Sharks' win in the 2019 edition of the SportPesa Cup, which took place in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, in January. The team's 1-0 win over Bandari FC gave them regional supremacy and the opportunity to play the Blues.
