Gor Departs For Goodison Park Hopeful To Impress Scouts

2nd November 2018

Rwanda international,Jacques Tuyisenge and Uganda left back, Shafik Batambuze to link up with the side in England on Saturday

Gor Mahia FC at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi moments before they departed for England on Friday November 2, 2018.PHOTO/SPN
Gor Mahia FC at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi moments before they departed for England on Friday November 2, 2018.PHOTO/SPN
SUMMARY
  • Gor Mahia FC players believe their crunch tie against nine times English Premier League champions, Everton FC, at Goodison Park on Tuesday night will offer a great platform to be identified by scouts
  • Dressed in dapper suits, beige khaki pants and navy blue blazers, the contingent of 22 players and two officials were hopeful to nip victory in Merseyside
  • Rwanda international, Jacques Tuyisenge and Ugandan left back, Shafik Batambuze are scheduled to depart on Saturday after a visa hitch hindered them from traveling with the squad
  • Gor booked another showdown against Marco Silva’s side when they humbled Simba SC 2-0 in the tournament’s final held this year at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru



NAIROBI, Kenya- Gor Mahia FC players believe their crunch tie against nine times English Premier League champions, Everton FC, at Goodison Park on Tuesday night will offer a great platform to be identified by scouts.

This follows an earlier revelation by the head coach, Dylan Kerr, in September that former Liverpool FC captain and current Rangers FC coach, Steven Gerrard, would attend the match to look for talent.

“Personally, I’m going to give my best so I can land any available deal,” Gor’s attacking midfielder, Francis Kahata, told SportPesa News before the team departed for England on Friday morning.

“I’m urging my team-mates to make the best use of this opportunity to market themselves. Let’s make an impression because you never know who is watching,” Kahata underscored.

Dressed in dapper suits, beige khaki pants and navy blue blazers, the contingent of 22 players and two officials were hopeful to nip victory in Merseyside.

Captain Harun Shakava predicted a tough battle against the English opponents saying they are not ready to lose to Everton again.

“Our game plan will be to try to score early then defend well as a team. As you know the best way to shield is to attack, so we will mostly be on the offensive,” he underscored.

“My prayer is that the weather would favor us, I hear it’s very cold in Liverpool so this might affect our performance as we are not used to such climate,” he added.

Shakava is on his second trip to the United Kingdom having travelled with SportPesa All-Star side last year where they lost 2-1 to Hull City FC at the KCOM Stadium.

Rwanda International, Jacques Tuyisenge was equally excited ahead of the journey saying he looks forward to setting foot in London, his childhood dream city.

Tuyisenge is equally determined to score another goal for K’Ogalo the same way he did in 2017 when the two rivals met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“My back injury has totally healed so I believe nothing would stop me from finding the back of the net at Goodison.

“I will stretch to grab all the chances available, but most importantly, we will pack the defense as we look for goals up front,” he emphasized.

Tuyisenge and Uganda left back, Shafik Batambuze are scheduled to depart on Saturday after a visa hitch hindered them from traveling with the squad.

Gor fan number one, Jared Otieno Obonyo aka Jaro Soja also failed to travel due to the same reason but he’s hopeful to leave with Tuyisenge at the weekend.

Touch down

Gor assistant head coach and former skipper, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno insisted that the one week training they had at Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Nairobi will have no effect on the charges as the team engaged in many competitions in the season.

“We broke for two weeks after the end of the SportPesa Premier League (SPL). I think this was necessary for us to charge our batteries and build focus for this tour as we took part in many contests including CECAFA, CAF Confederations and Champions League, SportPesa Cup and playing Hull City at Kasarani Stadium,” Otieno highlighted.

The team departed to England at 9.30am (+3 GMT EAT) aboard a KQ flight. They were expected to touch down at Heathrow Airport in London at 6.30pm.

Last year’s first fixture pitting Everton against Gor was hosted at the National Stadium in Tanzania on July 13, 2017 in front of a sold-out arena.

Everton won the game 2-1 with Tuyisenge netting for the Kenyan giants to leave the game level during half time at 1-1.

The Blues got their strikes courtesy of England icon, Wayne Rooney and Kieran McDowell who struck late on to deny K’Ogalo victory.

Gor booked another showdown against Marco Silva’s side when they humbled Simba SC 2-0 in the tournament’s final held this year at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

According to hosts Everton, the Tuesday match will kick-off at 10pm Kenyan time (+3GMT) with tickets retailing at £5 (KSh650) for adults and £1(KSh130) for under 18 and those over 65 years of age.

"All the proceeds will be channelled to the Everton in the Community (EITC),” Everton had declared on their twitter handle

Gor squad to Everton

1. Ochieng Lawrence Juma

2. Otieno Philemon Omondi

3. Eliud Ekadeli Lokuwam

4. Odhoji Shaban Ouma

5. Arasa Wesley Onguso

6. Omondi Wellington Ochieng

7. Obwaka Kevin Omondi

8. Tuyisenge Jacques

9. Asudi Raphael Okeyo

10. Owino Boniface Omondi

12. Nizigiyimana Abdoul Karim

13. Achieng Joash Onyango

14. Kisia Ernest Wendo

15. Joachim Ochieng Oluoch

16. Nyambura Francis Kahata

17. Ondiek Benard Ochieng

18. Ochieng Humprey Mieno

19. Saramu Charles Momanyi

21. Lumumba Cersidy Okeyo

22. Mustafa Francis 

23. Haron Shakava 

24. George Odhiambo Ogutu

25. Otinda Fredrick Odhiambo        

26. Boniface Oluoch

27. Dylan Kerr- Head coach

28. Zedekiah Evans Otieno- Assistant head coach

29. Jolawi Okello Obondo- Team Manager