Official Kenya Everton Fan Club Launched In Nairobi
6th July 2019
Blues heroes, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman the key guest as the country becomes the 133rd nation with a registered Toffees supporters group
- Marco Silva and his squad arrived in Nairobi on Saturday morning for the climax of the landmark tour dubbed Everton in Kenya
- The Nairobi Blues becomes the 133rd official Everton Supporters’ Club, with the Blues represented in all four corners of the globe, including the United States, Canada, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Indonesia
- Everton legends Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman were the key guests of the Nairobi Blues launch with the assembled supporters ecstatic to see the duo who established themselves as all-time favourites at the nine-time English league winners
NAIROBI, Kenya- English Premier League (EPL) side Everton FC cemented their bond with Kenya by launching their official fan club in Nairobi at a glitzy ceremony as the Blues stamped their permanent mark in the East African football mad country on Friday night.
It is no secret that the EPL is the most followed league in Kenya, where to some devotees it is a religion and with the establishment of the Everton Fan Club, the Blues who will play local side Kariobangi Sharks FC on Sunday are set to endear themselves even more as they continue expanding their support base in Africa.
The famous Kengeles Restaurant in Lavington, Nairobi turned Blue on a fun-filled Friday night where pulsating music, plenty to eat and drink set the tone for the football carnival in the groundbreaking launch that marked the beginning of an evolution for football fan show in the land.
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Everton legends Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman were the key guests of the Nairobi Blues launch with the assembled supporters ecstatic to see the duo who established themselves as all-time favourites at the nine-time English league winners.
To say that hundreds of pictures were taken on the night to remember the occasion would be an understatement as almost everyone at the venue scrambled for a selfie with the retired South African and English midfielder for the memory books.
“This is a great thing for Kenyan football and all the fans have received us well, I believe this could be the start of big things to come.
Common place
“The western world has adopted such a culture that allows staunch fans to congregate at a common place to enjoy the game and support their particular teams and I believe that could be a huge thing here as well. It all starts here with the launch of this fan club,” the 37-year old Pienaar told .
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Amit Vithlani, an Kenyan of Asian origin and has been an Everton fan from 1983 was among the first to sign up with the fan club and could not contain himself in the presence of Pienaar and Osman whom he credited with playing a huge role in cementing his love for the Liverpool-based Blues.
“This is arguably the best day ever. Having my favourite team launch a fan club here and getting the chance to be part of it is humbling to say the least.
“To meet Leon and Steve was the best part and I want to give the club and SportPesa for doing this for the country. This is amazing," Vithlani who was overcome with emotion gushed.
“I cannot wait for the game on Sunday. Seeing Everton live here in Kenya will be nothing short of amazing,” the devoted fan added.
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Members of the Toffees fan club will be converging at the same venue to cheer on their side from when they will launch their 2019/20 EPL campaign against Crystal Palace FC.
During their guest appearance at the launch event, Pienaar and Osman took part in an on-stage Q&A, before signing autographs and posing for photos with the enthusiastic locals – all keen to relay stories of how they became Evertonians.
The duo also presented members of the newly-formed Nairobi Blues with a certificate to confirm their status as an official Everton Supporters’ Club.
Wonderful country
“When we walked into the room, there were so many fans to greet us! Everywhere we have been in Nairobi, we’ve received such a warm welcome,” said Osman.
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“Over the years, I have had the privilege to visit a number of Everton Supporters’ Club but to actually get invited down to open a new one is pretty special. Hopefully this is the start and the Nairobi Blues can continue to grow.”
The Nairobi Blues becomes the 133rd official Everton Supporters’ Club, with the Blues represented in all four corners of the globe, including the United States, Canada, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Indonesia.
Scott McLeod, Head of Communications and Engagement, said: "It is hugely exciting to be adding the first official affiliated Everton Supporters' Club in Kenya to our growing list of international fan groups.
“The welcome the Club has received this week in Nairobi has underlined the incredible passion and popularity of the Premier League in Kenya and we are looking forward to working closely with the Supporters' Club to further grow and nurture the Everton fanbase in such a wonderful country."
Marco Silva and his squad arrived in Nairobi on Saturday morning for the climax of the landmark tour dubbed Everton in Kenya.
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