Italian giants Inter Milan to visit Kenya
PHOTO | inter.it Inter Milan's Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga (left) vies for the ball against a Chiasso opponent during the reserves match which Inter lost 1-0. Inter Milan will visit Kenya next month once the current European season comes to an end.
What you need to know:
- As part of their visit, the Nerrazzuri will play two friendly matches - one against Harambee Stars and another against a Kenyan Premier League select side.
- Inter’s visit will also be a grand homecoming for Kenya international midfielder McDonald Mariga.
Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan will visit Kenya next month once the current European season comes to an end.
As part of their visit, the Nerrazzuri will play two friendly matches - one against Harambee Stars and another against a Kenyan Premier League select side.
In a phone interview from Milan, a club source yesterday confirmed the club’s planned visit to Kenya.
“Yes, that information is true. The team will be visiting Kenya next month. However, I cannot give more information at this point in time,” the source said.
In Nairobi, Italian Liga-Pro general manager Fabrizio Lucchesi, who also doubles up as Serie A representative, also confirmed the Serie A side’s impending visit during a press briefing.
Lucchesi said plans are in top gear to bring the Nerrazzuri to Nairobi after the Serie A season ends on May 18.
“What we are doing is an expansion venture with an aim of building football partnerships with Kenya. Our long term objective is to foster relations between these two countries,” Lucchesi said.
Inter are currently placed fifth on the 20-team log on 53 points with five matches to go.
Should the plan materialise, then Adel Amrouche’s Harambee Stars will be up against the 2010 Uefa Champions League winners in what would be a high profile match for the local lads.
GRAND HOMECOMING
Inter’s visit will also be a grand homecoming for Kenya international midfielder McDonald Mariga.
Although he has not played for the national team since September 2010, Mariga remains Kenya’s most successful footballer in the European circuit. He was part of the Inter squad that bagged a treble in 2010 including the prestigious Uefa Champions League crown under then coach Jose Mourinho.
Meanwhile, the Italian Under 18 national team, which jetted into the country on Monday, will play against Kenya’s Under 20 team this evening from 6pm at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The Italians will conclude their tour with a match against Gor Mahia’s Under-19 side on Friday at the same venue starting 3pm.
At the same time, Kenya has entered into a two-year agreement with apparel manufacturer Joma, who will now officially kit all the national football teams.
