Nation FC eye 'Road to Anfield' crown
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and East Africa Chief Executive Officer Lamin Manjang (right) and Acting Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Neema Gitau at the launch of the ‘Road to Anfield’ football tournament on January 21, 2018 in Nairobi. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO |
What you need to know:
- Wananchi Group beat Letshego 3-0 to lift the 2018 edition, but were knocked out in the quarters after losing 2-1 to Hong Kong in the finals at Anfield.
- Nation FC was eliminated at the quarterfinal stage after edging rivals Standard Group 1-0 in the last 16.
A total of 48 teams will battle it out for a single ticket to Liverpool in the United Kingdom at this year’s Standard Chartered Bank-sponsored ‘Road to Anfield’ football tournament scheduled for March 2 at St Mary’s School.
The one-day five-a-side football tournament, launched in Kenya six years ago, will see the ultimate winner earn a ticket to Anfield, home of 18-time English Premier League (EPL) champions, Liverpool for a fully paid four-day trip in May.
While at Merseyside, the team will represent Kenya at the worldwide Standard Chartered Trophy finals to be staged at the 54,074-capacity Anfield stadium on May 17.
In addition, they will also attend an EPL match at the iconic Anfield as well as benefit from a professional training session with the Reds’ legends among them John Barnes and coaches in preparation for the tourney.
Wananchi Group beat Letshego 3-0 to lift the 2018 edition, but were knocked out in the quarters after losing 2-1 to Hong Kong in the finals at Anfield.
Nation FC was eliminated at the quarterfinal stage after edging rivals Standard Group 1-0 in the last 16.
The team captain Allan Munga has promised to upset favourites in this eighth edition.
“Through this partnership, the bank has rolled out several brand awareness activities across Asia, Africa and the Middle East to celebrate the sponsorship of Liverpool football club and give a once in a life time experience to clients and media partners,” said Lamine Manjang, the Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and East Africa Chief Executive Officer during the launch at the bank’s headquarters on Monday.
Manjang expressed optimism of the club ending a 28-year league title drought by winning it this season.
The Reds top the 20-team standings on 60 points from 23 rounds and have been touted as title favourites by pundits.
“We’ve been sponsoring the club since 2010 and extended the sponsorship to the end of the 2022/23 season making it one of the longest partnerships.
“At the same time, we are confident of lifting not only the league title but also the European cup,” he opined.
The bank also sponsors the annual StanChart Nairobi Marathon, where all the proceeds from the event go to the ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme, that helps blind people under the age of 15 years regain their sight.
