Wayne Rooney starts for Everton against Gor Mahia

Everton players take part in a training session at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on July 12, 2017 the eve of their friendly match against Gor Mahia. PHOTO | COURTESY |

What you need to know:

  • Rooney will partner new signing Klaassen in attack with Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg starting in goal for the English Premier League side's first preseason fixture.

As expected, Wayne Rooney will lead Everton's attack in his second debut for the Toffees in Thursday's pre-season friendly against Gor Mahia.

The contest kicks off at the 60,000 seater national stadium in Dar es Salaam at 5pm.

The England captain will be partnered in attack by another new signing Davy Klaassen.

The Denmark international forward only joined the Toffees from Ajax Amsterdam in June.

Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg will start in goal, with English centre backs Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams, alongside fullbacks Callum Connoly and Jonjoe making up the defensive unit.

Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin, formerly Victor Wanyama's teammate at Southampton, will occupy the defensive midfield role, as tricky right sided winger Aaron Lennon alongside Ademola Lookman and James McCarthy filling out the remaining roles at the middle of the park.

In the meantime, new Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr has kept faith in Harambee Stars goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch. Ugandan defender Godfrey Walusimbi will play at left fullback with Musa Mohammed, Harun Shakava and Karim Nizigiyimana have been deployed in defence and tasked with keeping Rooney at bay.

Ernest Wendo will occupy the holding midfield position with Kenneth Muguna tasked with providing creativity just behind George Odhiambo, Meddie Kagere and Boniface Omondi.

Everton’s star studded squad touched down at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere international Airport in Dar on Wednesday in readiness for this fixture. 

Gor earned the right to face Everton after winning the eight-team SportPesa Super Cup football tournament staged in Dar in June.