Everton Hero Pienaar Rallies Kenyan Fans To Be Part Of History
4th July 2019
Retired midfielder arrives in Nairobi for high profile SportPesa Cup clash between his former side and Kariobangi Sharks
- Pienaar jetted in on a drizzly night at the Kenyan capital and despite the cold weather and flight delays that deferred his scheduled arrival by an hour, the retired midfielder was in high spirits and looking forward to the landmark friendly dubbed SportPesa Cup at the country’s sporting cathedral
- To him, watching Everton play in Kenya has special meaning having been part of a league that has huge following in the country and Africa as a whole having endeared himself to fans across the continent as a key player for the Blues
- Sharks won the ticket to host Everton in Nairobi by winning the third edition of the SportPesa Cup regional knockout tournament in Tanzania
NAIROBI, Kenya- The lovely people of Kenya should not miss the great opportunity to watch an English Premier League (EPL) in action on their home turf on Sunday when Everton FC take on Kariobangi Sharks FC at the MISC Kasarani, Stadium.
The rallying call was issued on Wednesday night when Everton legend and former South Africa national team Bafana Bafana captain, Steven Pienaar landed in Nairobi to take part in the historic occasion.
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Pienaar jetted in on a drizzly night at the Kenyan capital and despite the cold weather and flight delays that deferred his scheduled arrival by an hour, the retired midfielder was in high spirits and looking forward to the landmark friendly dubbed SportPesa Cup at the country’s sporting cathedral.
Having watched Sharks beat fellow SportPesa Premier League (SPL) side Bandari FC 1-0 in the final of the 2019 SportPesa Cup in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania the ex-Bafana captain further told of his enthusiasm about visiting Kenya for the first time.
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“I’m excited to be here and come here on behalf of Everton. I’m looking forward to the next couple of days and meeting the lovely people of Kenya.
“With the team coming soon, I’m looking forward to the whole weekend,” the beaming retired midfielder who made 161 appearances for Everton where he spent most of his career gushed to SportPesa News.
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The former losing UEFA Champions League Tottenham Hotspur FC player who is now an Everton ambassador will join fellow Blues legend, Leon Osman, who jetted in earlier Wednesday for a raft of activities aimed at promoting local football development starting Thursday.
Special meaning
To him, watching Everton play in Kenya has special meaning having been part of a league that has huge following in the country and Africa as a whole having endeared himself to fans across the continent as a key player for the Blues.
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“African people are warm, especially in East Africa and it’s always nice to be in the mother land. I’m glad a Premier League club can come to Africa to share the excitement.
“People do not come to Europe to see the players so it is a great opportunity to the club to come here and the country to see them play,” Pienaar who made 61 appearances for South Africa, scoring thrice and playing for them at the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cup asserted.
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His arrival caused a stir at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with some curious fans that were waiting for Jamaican reggae sensation, Jah Cure (born Siccature Alcock) to land in Nairobi taken in by the sight of a former EPL star.
A lucky security guard grabbed the chance to take a selfie with Pienaar who played for Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam FC, signed for German titans Borussia Dortmund and then found a home at Everton before he was whisked away to his hotel under tight security.
Everton FC hero and former Bafana Bafana captain, Steven Pienaar, walks out of the International Arrivals terminal at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi on Wednesday, July 3 flanked by SportPesa Assistant Marketing Manager, Public Relations, Lola Okulo (left) and a security officer on his first ever visit to Kenya. PHOTO/Brian Kinyanjui/SPN
Sharks won the ticket to host Everton in Nairobi by winning the third edition of the SportPesa Cup regional knockout tournament in Tanzania.
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