Gor Dust Off Everton Defeat With Uplifting Hull City Visit
7th November 2018
Kenyan champions' tour to the UK continues with 178km scenic journey to tour KCOM Stadium
- K’Ogalo needed a pick-me-up after being outclassed by the English Premier League (EPL) side at Goodison Park and a call on the second division Championship side was what the doctor ordered
- Windass then took time to heartily chat with some of the faces he met during their tour to Kenya as the players were led to a sumptuous lunch in a brightly decorated lounge with a spectacular view of the immaculate KCOM turf
- After thanking their hosts for the day, the Gor team boarded their bus for the two and a half hour drive back to Merseyside that was punctuated by the soothing beautiful views of the green English countryside
HULL, United Kingdom- SportPesa Premier League champions, Gor Mahia FC dusted off their 0-4 defeat to Everton FC on Wednesday when they made the scenic 178 kilometre journey to visit another English opponent they faced in May- Hull City FC.
K’Ogalo needed a pick-me-up after being outclassed by the English Premier League (EPL) side at Goodison Park and a call on the second division Championship side was what the doctor ordered.
Gor welcomed Hull to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on May 13 for an international friendly that ended in 3-4 in favour to the Tigers on post-match penalties after a barren draw in regulation.
The game that crowned Hull’s own historic tour to Kenya shattered attendance records for football match on Kenyan soil and both teams had a chance to re-live the wonderful memories.
Hull ambassador and club legend, Dean Windass, was on hand to receive the Gor players at the KCOM Stadium.
Windass, who is fondly remembered by the Tigers faithful for his fantastic volley that sent Hull to the EPL for the first time in 2008, was thrilled to welcome the Kenyan giants.
“I’m really happy that you managed to get time to come and visit us here in Hull. It’s really great to see you all and I hope you’re time in the UK has been memorable,” Windass told.
He then took time to heartily chat with some of the faces he met during their tour to Kenya as the players were led to a sumptuous lunch in a brightly decorated lounge with a spectacular view of the immaculate KCOM turf.
Snapping selfies
Gor Mahia FC players and staff pose at the centre of the KCOM Stadium during their visit to Hull City FC in England on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. PHOTO/SPN
Before embarking on a wholesome tour of the stadium, everyone was gifted with yellow and black Hull scarves as a symbol of appreciation from the entire staff at the Championship club.
“I know it’s been a hectic couple of days and despite the loss last night against worthy opposition, you should be proud of your achievements,” John Hawley, a stadium official stated before leading the Gor party to a tour of the facility.
The tour included stops in the players locker rooms where the Gor team awed at the sight of the well pressed and arranged kit belonging to club stars among them Jarrod Bowen and Frazier Campbell who were part of the Kenyan visit.
Some could not resist immortalising the moment by snapping selfies before they were led to the pitch as they compared it to the surface they played in the night before.
“This pitch is better in my opinion. It’s bigger and the capacity is definitely bigger,” Humphrey Mieno remarked.
"I don’t think so. The Goodison turf was way smoother than this one. I wish we had a ball so you can see the difference when you give a ground pass,” teammate Kevin Omondi disagreed.
After thanking their hosts for the day, the Gor team boarded their bus for the two and a half hour drive back to Merseyside that was punctuated by the soothing beautiful views of the green English countryside.
-Louis Kalinga is reporting from Liverpool, United Kingdom