The D-day is finally here. Gor Mahia will be taking to the pitch at Goodison park to take on Everton in a highly anticipated match up that has caught the attention of many football lovers across the world.
The Players have had an unforgettable experience in Liverpool. I bet this will forever remain in their mind and soul for an entire lifetime.
Despite being visitors and in fact the opposing side, Gor Mahia are being treated like bosses. The team has been showered with utmost respect and kindness.
From being allocated a modern green bus to help them move around Liverpool to having a professional medical at Everton’s medical facilities, the players have even had a chance to feed at Everton Players’ canteen.
The arrival of the Club’s patron, Raila Amollo Odinga is said to have boosted their morale even more. Sportpesa CEO Ronald Karuri also rewarded the team with a whooping 2 million shillings for their exploits.
Before their clash tonight, the Kenyan champions were given a tour of the award-winning “Everton in the Community” project that has endeared the Blues to the city they call home after getting a feel of Goodison Park.
Selected players of Gor Mahia FC, whose storied history in East Africa makes them worthy guests were given rare insight on the importance of the initiative on the eve of their landmark game against Everton at their hallowed Goodison Park that has been part of Liverpool’s landscape for over 126 years.
First, K’Ogalo were given a feel of the spotless Goodison turf where they will show the watching world their talent from 10PM local time when the match kicks off.
Stroking the ball at the arena where famous teams and players have kicked a football provided a highlight for head coach Dylan Kerr and his charges in their ground-breaking tour to the UK as the first East African outfit to enjoy the privilege.
Afterwards, the Everton staff proceeded to take a few of the players around the hub of the club’s community operations, with the lucky men getting a memorable chance that will go down as another focus of their trip.
The building that houses the project is located less than 50 steps from the stadium and on arrival, everyone was welcomed in traditional English fashion, with a cup of tea.
The old fashioned structure was opened in 2016 by the Royal family and its estimated cost was 1.2 million pounds (over KSh158.78m), established to help the less privileged, drug addicts and homeless people of the Liverpool community.
Gor Mahia, commonly referred to as K’Ogalo booked a second date with Everton after winning the Super Cup following a 2-0 victory over Simba SC in June.
The victory over the Tanzanian side came with a free ticket to Goodison Park to face Everton.
Gor Mahia however lost 2-1 to Everton in July 2017, during another friendly played in Tanzania.