Gor Enjoy Easy Sunday With Retail Therapy, Kick About With The Yak

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom- The phrase ‘easy like Sunday morning’ has never been more relatable to the Gor Mahia FC players than it was in the chilly city of Liverpool on November 4.

After a very eventful Saturday crowned by being official Everton FC guests at Goodison Park, the Kenyan league champions got the opportunity to sample the goodies of the UK city.

The team’s maiden visit to the United Kingdom couldn’t have come at a better time as the game they were invited to was one to remember.

Their opponents, Everton made a statement in their backyard with a resounding 3-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion FC on Saturday afternoon.

So, Sunday morning was rather casual and free with the days programme set to begin later in the afternoon.

Most players took the time to visit the neighbouring Liverpool zone mall to shop for themselves and loved ones back home, look at the different array of sports outlets and whatever else may interest them.

The mall was rather busy being a Sunday that provided an exhilarating experience with plenty going on in every corner of the massive open-air establishment.

Musicians, dancers and different sorts of performers were in every corner provided plenty of entertainment as the players and technical staff toured the imposing mall.

“The shops here are so nice and huge. I haven’t been in a mall this massive in my life.

“I’ve found a fantastic pair of football boots and the prices weren’t so bad. That’s all I came looking for and now that I’ve found a pair I can go rest before training in the afternoon,” Gor and Kenya international player Philemon Otieno stated.

“Sports Direct is where I’m going. I already checked online and saw the pair of gloves that I want so that’s what I’m going to get,” goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji weighed in.

The temperatures were not as low as they had been since the team arrived on Friday and this provided favourable conditions for them to explore the lively Liverpool centre.

As a handful of players strolled out of the Adidas store, a familiar face popped out of the hundreds that were in the mall and said to them: “Boys, I’ve found a with really nice and affordable shoes. Let me show you guys where it is.”

Without second-guessing, they all followed happily, after all it was their goalkeeping coach Willis Ochieng’.

After hours spent at the mall, the entire Gor team led by their coach had lunch at the hotel before boarding the bus to head to the USM Finch Farm for an afternoon training session as they continue to prepare for arguably the biggest game of their career.

Beautiful scenery

The drive to the respected training ground didn’t lose its effect as the beautiful scenery like still seemed to captivate the players as they made their way to 'The School of Science', a more common name for the Finch Farm.

As soon as they changed, they were led into the media centre to be offered a couple of lessons on how to handle the media in different scenarios while they’re in Liverpool.

A BBC TV host was on site to give the players a few pointers on what and when to say now that they are about to break international borders and play against an EPL team.

Head coach Dylan Kerr then led his players out onto the pitch and after a slight warm up session, they got right into it with the days training programme.

“The players seemed to be more in the mood today, I guess it’s because D-day is fast approaching,” he said after the session.

“I’ve told my players that all I want from them is a good performance and that I am sure they are capable of.

“Because Everton is an EPL team won’t deter us from sticking to our game plan on Tuesday night. The training was good and we are ready to make Gor known to the world,” Kerr underlined.

As the other players were wrapping up the training, five others went to join Everton legend and now brand ambassador Yakubu Ayiegbeni for a goal recreation session.

Kenya National team midfielder Francis Kahata, Rwanda Internationals Francis Mustapha and Karim Nizigiyimana were presented with the task to beat their custodian Boniface Oluoch in goal.

The technique on the half volley seemed difficult and Oluoch was alert between the sticks to keep his teammates out.

The day was capped off when former Nigeria Super Eagles captain, Yakubu stepped up to show them how it is done and after a couple of miscues, he left the goalkeeper flat-footed with a well struck effort into the right hand corner much to the applause of everyone watching.

“It was great to be back on the pitch and have a session with the Gor players.

“They are very talented, I had the chance to watch them in the SportPesa Cup in Kenya and I’m sure they’ll put up a fight.

“I’m really looking forward to the game,” Yakubu offered.

-Louis Kalinga is reporting for SportPesa News from Liverpool, England