Everton Land In Nairobi: Blues Become First EPL Side To Set Foot In Kenya
6th July 2019
Marco Silva and his star-studded team will take on Kariobangi Sharks FC on Sunday at MISC Kasarani to kick off their 2019/20 pre-season tour
- Their arrival on a chartered private jet set a stir at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with the team welcomed at the airside of the busy aviation hub by traditional dancers, officials as well as a battery of local and international media sent to document what will always stand out as a pivotal moment in Kenyan sports
- Cognisant on the lengthy journey from Liverpool, the Blues were whisked away to their hotel in a convoy of 25 vehicles shortly after their arrival that was covered live on local television and social media to underline the stature of the majestic event
- Paul Nduma, 40, was excited to see his favourite team jet into Kenya for the match
NAIROBI, Kenya- Everton FC made their-long-awaited grand entry to Nairobi at last on Saturday morning to make history as the first-ever English Premier League (EPL) football team to set foot on Kenyan soil.
Led by their Portuguese manager, Marco Silva and brimming with international stars such Theo Walcott, Morgan Schneiderlin, Andre Silva, Oumar Niasse, Ademola Lookman and Jonas Lossl among others.
The Blues arrived ready to launch their 2019/20 pre-season with a ground-breaking clash against Kariobangi Sharks FC on Sunday.
Their touchdown aboard the giant chartered Airbus A340 private jet caused a stir at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with the team welcomed at the busy aviation hub by traditional dancers, SportPesa officials as well as local and international media sent to document what will always stand out as a pivotal moment in Kenyan sports.
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Decked in a black tracksuit and blue jacket, Silva who is leading a team to play for in Africa for the first time led his side to disembark from the plane before the players, technical staff and officials were ushered into the country by a traditional dancing troupe, Sarakasi Dancers.
"We are glad to be back to East Africa for the second time and our match with Kariobangi Sharks will pave way for our pre-season tour that started this week. We look forward to the game tomorrow (Sunday) which we hope to enjoy," Everton seasoned left back, Leighton Baines told SportPesa News.
Cognisant on the lengthy journey from Liverpool, the Blues were whisked away to their hotel in a convoy of 25 vehicles shortly after their arrival that was covered live on local television and social media to underline the stature of the majestic event.
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Kenya has been a buzz about the tour of the Blues to the country since January when Sharks earned the right to host then in Nairobi after beating local rivals Bandari FC 1-0 in the final of the 2019 SportPesa Cup.
The privately chartered Airbus A340 jumbo jet that brought Everton FC players to Nairobi taxies at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday, July 6, 2018. PHOTO/SPN
The official confirmation of the fixture in May set in motion an elaborate sequence of planning and events as technology and entertainment business, SportPesa partnered with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to turn the tour dubbed Everton In Kenya into reality.
Walcott interest
Now, Kenyan football lovers can finally believe they have a chance to watch the stars they have followed with keen devotion take on the best of the EPL on home soil with the 60,000-seater MISC Kasarani expected to fill up to witness from close quarters what Everton is all about.
MUST READ: Organisers Declare Its Game Set, Match For Historic Everton In Kenya Tour
It all started when the team touched down at the chilly Nairobi airport at exactly 9.01am and were received by SportPesa officials led by Chief Marketing Officer, Kelvin Twissa.
First to embark from the plane were the Everton media team, followed by club staff, the technical bench and finally the players.
Airport officials rushed to take selfies with Walcott who seemed to be the biggest draw with Kenyans and at one point he had to be pulled away by hawk eyed security personnel to allow the star some breathing space.
Sarakasi Dancers were on hand to entertain them with songs and dances, belting ever green local folk songs Jambo Bwana, Hakuna Matata (welcome to Kenya, a land of peace) and Jamiriambo Koth Biro Goyi Koth Okayo (hurry up because it’s almost raining) among other tunes.
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“I’m happy and privileged to perform for Everton today because it’s a team that I only see on television. I feel much closer to the EPL where I have been an ardent supporter of Walcott for the last 10 years,” Sarakasi leader, Daniel Mbuya admitted.
Paul Nduma, 40, was excited to see his favourite team jet into Kenya for the match.
“This is a big boost to our football. It will give Sharks players a chance to be watched a cross the globe. This is a rare opportunity that might open for them doors to big clubs in Europe,” noted Nduma whose passion for the club dates back to 2003 when his then role model, Joseph Yobo of Nigeria, lured him to become an Everton supporter.
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Everton in Kenyan squad
Maarten Stekelenburg
Jonas Lossl
Mason Holgate
Lewis Gibson
Morgan Schneiderlin
Dennis Adeniran
Tom Davies
Theo Walcott
Ademola Lookman
Leighton Baines
Andre Gomes
Oumar Niasse
Ryan Astley
Callum Connolly
Morgan Feeney
Antonee Robinson
Beni Baningime
Joe Williams
Nathan Broadhead
Fraser Hornby
Josh Bowler
Nathangelo Markelo
Players and staff of Everton FC disembark from their chartered flight at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi on Saturday, July 6, 2019. PHOTO/SPN