Stage set for Gor-Hull City friendly
What you need to know:
- Gor chairman Rachier promises bruising battle against English opponents on Sunday at Kasarani.
- English Championship team sent advance party to Nairobi to prepare for Sunday’s match.
English Championship side Hull City are leaving nothing to chance ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Kenyan champions Gor Mahia at Kasarani Stadium.
Nation Sport has learnt that before the English Championship team’s arrival in Nairobi Friday evening, two match analysts travelled as part of a nine-man advance team to Nairobi earlier in the week to prepare for Sunday’s game.
Sources said the analysts, namely Josh Appleyard and Ryan Maddra, had by Friday watched three recent games involving K’Ogalo, including the Caf Confederation Cup Group ‘D’ match between Gor and Rwanda’s Rayon Sports in Kigali a week ago.
The advance party has spent time researching on the Kenyan champions.
They have also visited Kasarani Stadium - the match venue - and inspected the playing surface, perhaps keen to avoid complaints.
Also part of the team’s advance party is a chef, a nutritionist, the club’s head of medical team Rob Price, a team doctor, kit manager, player welfare officer. Former player Dean Windass is part of the contingent, as is Andrew Stead, the club’s head of partnerships who spoke on behalf of the club on all off-the-pitch matters.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to put Kenyan football on the map, and to also improve Hull City’s brand around the world,” Stead said at a press briefing. Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier welcomed their opponents to Kenya.
“Welcome to Kenya. Please visit our national parks on Saturday but on Sunday, be prepared for a gruelling battle against the Kenyan champions.”
Hull City’s manager Nigel Adkins will be missing eight first-team players, including Sebastian Larson and Jackson Irvine.
The English trainer has, however, selected an 18-man squad that features former Manchester United forward Fraizer Campbell, Spain’s attacking midfielder Jon Toral, and veteran keeper David Marshall, among others.
During the four-day tour organised by SportPesa, Hull players and staff are primed to visit and witness the work of several community projects in Kibera slums.
Hull City squad: David Marshall, Callum Burton, Dan Batty, Jarrod Bowen, Fraizer Campbell, Billy Chadwick, Max Clark, Adam Curry, Nouha Dicko, Evandro, Brandon Fleming, Tyler Hamilton, Will Keane, Stephen Kingsley, Robbie McKenzie, Tom Powell, Kevin Stewart, Jon Toral.
