Gor Mahia thrash Leopards in Dar to set up date with Everton
It has been confirmed that Kenyan giants Gor Mahia will play English Premier League side Everton next month following a 3-0 thumping of bitter rivals AFC Leopards in the final of SportPesa Super Cup on Sunday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Shortly after the conclusion of the one-sided clash at Dar’s Uhuru Stadium, the English side announced on their official Twitter handle that they will play the multiple Kenyan champions in a friendly match.
This contest, which will be part of the English team’s preparations for the 2017/2018 English Premier League campaign, will be staged at the multi-purpose 60,000 seater National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on July 13.
? | The Blues will face @OfficialGMFC next month and become the first @premierleague side to play in Tanzania. #EFC pic.twitter.com/S5z7qsknH8
— Everton (@Everton) June 11, 2017
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier also acknowledged the latest developments.
“I have just seen the tweet from Everton. We are excited to be there to play. It will be a great and historic event and we are looking forward to it. Please tell the world that Gor Mahia are not underdogs heading into that match,” Rachier told Nairobi News.
Timothy Otieno – who was also on the scoresheet in the first Mashemeji derby played 34 days ago at Nyayo Stadium, broke the deadlock at the hour mark. Oliver Maloba doubled the lead on the 78th minute, eleven minutes after replacing Otieno.
Former Leopards player John Ndirangu completed the rout with a neatly taken goal in stoppage time.
PRIZE MONEY
In addition to the chance to play against Everton, Gor Mahia took home a glittery trophy and pocketed Sh3 million for their victory.
Organisers of the eight-team tournament had announced all through the week-long event that the winning team in this competition will be handed a chance to play Everton, who finished seventh in the 2016/2017 EPL season.
Gor Mahia, who are 15-time Kenyan champions and Everton, are both bankrolled by giant gaming firm SportPesa.
This will be the first time Ronald Koemen’s team, which boasts the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka, are playing a match in East Africa.
