Football
Andrew Jackson Oryada, KweséESPN 6y

Great opportunity for Gor Mahia to face Everton - Kerr

Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr believes next month's match against Everton is a big opportunity for his players to test themselves against a strong English Premier League side.

Kerr's team defeated Tanzania's Simba FC 2-0 in the final of the Sportpesa Super Cup, played at the Afraha Stadium in the of Nakuru on Sunday. 

The Rwandese attacking duo of Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge netted the goals to ensure Gor Mahia win a cash prize of US$30,000 and the chance to face Everton at Goodison Park.

"I am very happy that we have won the SportPesa Super Cup and qualified to face Everton. This is a very good chance for the players to go and showcase their talents in Europe playing in a very different environment," Kerr told KweséESPN on Sunday.

"We had a chance and played English Championship side Hull City in Nairobi last month and now going to England to face Everton FC will help these boys get better. Facing teams that play in the Premier League is a rare chance and we must take it seriously," said Kerr.

Before winning the final, Kerr's team started with a 3-0 win over Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi SCZ from Zanzibar, in the quarterfinals, before knocking out Tanzanian side Singida United 2-0 in the last four. 

Ugandan international Godfrey Walusimbi, who scored one of the goals in the win against the Zanzibar team, is looking forward to the trip to Merseyside.

"Last year we lost to Everton in a game played in Tanzania. But going to play them in their home stadium in England will be very good exposure for us as a team and myself as a player," Walusimbi told KweséESPN.

"This tournament which attracted teams from the regional has also helped us prepare better for the Premier League, CECAFA Kagame Cup and the CAF Confederation group matches," added Kerr.

Online betting firm SportPesa has partnerships with Kenyan sides Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Simba FC in Tanzania. They also have sponsorship deals with Everton and Hull City.

Although scheduled for July, the exact date and time for the Everton-Gor Mahia match has not been confirmed yet.

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