Raila Arrival Softens Tuyisenge Blow For Gor On Eve Of Everton Tie
5th November 2018
Club Patron and former Prime Minister among key guests who will witness history when Kenyan champions take on EPL hosts at Goodison Park on Tuesday
- The Rwanda international missed the last window to link up with his teammates in England on Monday when his passport became stuck on its way from the British consulate in South Africa to Nairobi
- Raila jetted into the UK on Monday morning accompanied by his daughter, Winnie Odinga ready to cheer on the team having been present for their crowning as the 2018 SportPesa Premier League champions in Kisumu on September 30 in the lakeside capital of Kisumu
- Kerr backed Burundi national, Francis Mustapha who joined the club mid season in June as one of those raring to take up the mantle and rattle in the goals for Gor
LIVERPOOL, England- The time for fanciful dreams, hopes and all talk of giving their more fancied opposition, Everton FC a good go is now over for Kenyan giants Gor Mahia FC.
Having beaten all odds to be part of the historic tour to the United Kingdom to face the Blues at Goodison Park, Gor must face their hosts without their top striker, Jacques Tuyisenge as they pursue another glittering chapter in their decorated history.
The Rwanda international missed the last window to link up with his teammates in England on Monday when his passport became stuck on its way from the British consulate in South Africa to Nairobi.
Tuyisenge made his own history at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam on July 13, 2017 when he scored against Everton in their first meeting following their inaugural SportPesa Cup success in the same country a month earlier.
Net busters from former England captain, Wayne Rooney on his first outing since returning to his boyhood club and Kieran McDowell late on sandwiched between Tuyisenge’s leveller saw the English Premier League side prevail 1-2 in the end.
Despite the deflating news, Gor’s camp in Liverpool was lifted by the arrival of Club Patron and former Kenyan Prime Minister, Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, who is among the key figures who will be at Goodison to witness the famous occasion for Gor in particular and the country's football at large.
Raila jetted into the UK on Monday morning accompanied by his daughter, Winnie Odinga ready to cheer on the team having been present for their crowning as the 2018 SportPesa Premier League champions in Kisumu on September 30 in the lakeside capital of Kisumu.
SportPesa Chief Executive Officer, Captain Ronald Karauri and other high-ranking managers of the leading Africa gaming giants among them, Jakob Kristensen (Chief Operations Officer) and Kelvin Twissa (Chief Marketing Officer) will also join the Goodison faithful for the game that kicks-off at 7pm local time (10pm EAT).
Final training
Speaking during the pre-match press conference on Monday after their final training session, K’Ogalo English coach, Dylan Kerr averred there little marks out his charges from what his opposite number Marco Silva will put out as he hopes to lead his side to a monumental result.
“It’s a big football club who play in the EPL and everyone is a potential threat. Player for player, there’s nothing that separates mine from the Everton stars in terms of talent. I believe that they will shock people,” Kerr charged at the USM Finch Farm training complex on Monday.
His side however, must face the stern test without their top scorer for the past two seasons with the Briton who led K’Ogalo to back-to-back SportPesa Cup and SPL crowns adamant he has enough in his locker to cover the Tuyisenge-shaped hole upfront.
“My players know what I want and the level of football I expect so I’m not really worried,” he started.
Kerr backed Burundi national, Francis Mustapha who joined the club mid season in June as one of those raring to take up the mantle and rattle in the goals for Gor.
“Even without Tuyisenge who is our main striker, our training had not been hampered but Mustapha looked on fire today (Monday) and that’s motivating,” Kerr underlined.
The Gor coach however, cautioned his side against being frozen by the sense of occasion in what for most of his team is the biggest game they have ever taken part.
“I hope the expectations for the game doesn’t get the best of the players. They just need to be organised and stick to the plan.
“I’ve got to use my common sense as I pick the first 11 and I have to be very cautious so as to select the perfect line-up,” Kerr added.
The record domestic league champions got the rare opportunity to get a second crack at Everton after retaining the SportPesa Cup with a 2-0 victory over Simba SC.
“I just need my players to enjoy the game, play with confidence and belief so we can give them a real test,” Kerr concluded.
Captain Harun Shakava also talked up his team’s capabilities ahead of the highly publicised encounter.
“I have spoken to my teammates and urged them to take it all in with confidence so we can put on a great show.
“We have no pressure because of the fans watching back home, this is what we do and we are ready to do the best to make them proud,” he underlined.
The game will be live on Kenyan television channels- K24, NTV, KBC, Bamba Sports as well as available for streaming on SportPesa Care and YouTube channels.
There will be two live viewing ceremonies in Nairobi, the first at Archives in the Central Business District brought by the 'Stadium on Wheels'- SportPesa Viewing and Commentary Truck- and Jiweke Tavern, off Ngong Road where local fans can catch the action unfold from Liverpool.