Everton Aces Gomes, Niasse, Lossl Ride In Nganya; Walcott Takes On 'Wamlambez' Sailors

7th July 2019 - by Erick Ochieng

Fun activities on the sidelines of the landmark tour of the EPL side to the country sees Blues stars sample the Nairobi fast lane on the eve of Sharks clash

Everton FC stars (From R to L) Oumar Niasse, Jonas Lössl and Andre Gomes alongside dancehall sensation Kevin 'Love Child' Wyre aboard a pimped Matatu in Nairobi on Saturday, July 6, 2019. PHOTO/SPN

SUMMARY

Accompanied by local dancehall sensation Kevin ‘Love’ Child Wyre, and the Kansoul urban pop group composed of Madtraxx, Kid Kora and Mejja, the trio cruised in the Matatu that plies Nairobi's Route 111, Ngong Road complete with the blaring music that has made the matatu culture one of Kenya's most identifiable social phenomenon
Wyre, the Kansoul and Sailors will add flavour to the football carnival during the landmark friendly christened SportPesa Cup on Sunday and members of the breakout group could not hide their delight at getting the opportunity to perform at such a grand occasion
Mbuya narrated to get a chance to be part of the Kixx crew one should be clean which he believes is next to godliness

NAIROBI, Kenya- Everton trio André Gomes, Oumar Niasse and Jonas Lössl had an unforgettable experience on Saturday when they hitched a ride in a pimped out local public transport minibus locally known as Nganya across as the English Premier League (EPL) players lived life on the Kenyan fast lane.

Accompanied by local dancehall sensation Kevin ‘Love’ Child Wyre, and the Kansoul urban pop group composed of Madtraxx, Kid Kora and Mejja, the trio cruised in the Matatu that plies Nairobi's Route 111, Ngong Road complete with the blaring music that has made the matatu culture one of Kenya's most identifiable social phenomenon.

At the same time, another urban pop group, Sailors who are riding on the crest of popularity with their smash single Wamlambez, also got into the groove of the Everton In Kenya tour when they tested their football skills against Everton and England star, Theo Walcott at the MISC Kasarani Stadium.

Everton will take on 2019 SportPesa Cup champions Kariobangi Sharks FC later Sunday but the Blues first ever tour to the country was not only about football, with the club formally launching their Fan Club on Friday as some of their players sampled what the country has to offer on a cultural perspective.

Portuguese central midfielder Gomes and Lössl who recently signed with Everton from La Liga champions FC Barcelona and English Championship side Hull City FC as well as Niasse of Senegal started their Nganya ride from their hotel Gigiri and travelled through Runda, Kiambu Road, Ridgeways, Thika Road and ended up at Kasarani Stadium to join Walcott who was attending to media duties in the pre-match press conference.

The loud speakers boomed a medley of Kansoul hits including Bablas, Nyongwa and Dabotap among others which inspired Niasse to perfect his goal celebration dance inside the Matatu.

“I have friends who always suggest for me moves which I can use when I pump in a goal in a game, there is one we have been perfecting of late and I promise to unleash it if I score against Sharks on tomorrow,” the Senegalese forward underlined.

Simply amazed

Gomes was simply amazed with the glittering neon lights and the velvet seats that decorated their ride christened Kixx. The matatu also had a conspicuous slogan, Chuma Bado Moto (the iron is still hot) meant to ward off competition from newer rivals in the cutthroat flashy Matatu business.

“This is one kind of feeling I would like to experience again and again in my life, I will never forget Kenya for giving me a treat of a lifetime,” Gomes gushed.

“The players were amazed with graffiti that were inside the bus. They could not believe their eyes when they saw giant plasma television screens and wireless internet in the Nganya.

“Lössl asked if that was the mode of transport here in Kenya. Nonetheless they enjoyed it, apart from the few bumps that threw them off their seats now and then,” Wyre told SportPesa News.

Wyre, the Kansoul and Sailors will add flavour to the football carnival during the landmark friendly christened SportPesa Cup on Sunday and members of the breakout group could not hide their delight at getting the opportunity to perform at such a grand occasion.

"It is a great occasion and we are proud to be part of history. We are excited to have the chance to perform in front of fans and for us, it is another big moment to show our talent. Our favourite Everton player is Walcott obviously and to meet him in person today (Saturday) was unbelievable.

"We wish our boys, Sharks all the best, they should just believe in themselves and I believe they can make a name," Dennis 'Masilver' Njoroge who was flanked by fellow Sailors, Alexander 'Lexxy' Ikuro and Paul 'Shalkido' Koigi told SportPesa News at Kasarani.

Bus driver Allan Mbuya disclosed they used KSh7million (USD68,000) to pimp the ride and turn it into a moving party zone.

“We installed sound equalisers, air-fresheners, sub-woofers, CCTV cameras, plasma screens, WiFi and comfortable seats to make the bus comfortable for passengers.

“One advantage of Nganya is that they take no time to be filled by customers on the routes we operate on. I’m glad that we have so far recovered the funds we used to decorate the vehicle. We are just making super profits for now,” Mbuya disclosed.

Kixx charges KSh100 one way from Ngong to town and on a good day Mbuya said the vehicle makes over KSh13,000.

Mbuya narrated to get a chance to be part of the Kixx crew one should be clean which he believes is next to godliness.

Pimped out Matatu christened Kixx drives to the Everton team hotel to pick three of their stars for a ride across Nairobi on Saturday, July 6, 2019. PHOTO/SPN