Tanzania friendly date set

Lyndon Lloyd Thursday, 25 May, 2017 24comments | Jump to most recent

Everton's exhibition game in Tanzania will take place on 13 July, the club have announced.

The Blues will become the first Premier League team to play in the African country where they will take on the winners of the inaugural SportPesa Super Cup.

Four teams from neighbouring Kenya's SportPesa Premier League will play off in a knockout competition against four teams from Ligu Kuu Bara, Tanzania's top division for the right to take on Everton in a special final.

The trip to Tanzania is part of the club's new shirt-sponsorship deal with SportPesa.

Reader Comments (24)

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Peter Gorman
1 Posted 25/05/2017 at 19:23:34

Ridiculous!

Brian Williams
2 Posted 25/05/2017 at 19:25:32

Hmmm Ryanair or Easyjet?

Will Mabon
3 Posted 25/05/2017 at 19:30:55

It's only one game, and they are sponsoring us. Might be a bit of a market there. I'm gonna try not to be too cynical on this one.

Thomas James
4 Posted 25/05/2017 at 19:54:33

Whether they sponsor Everton or not, I'll continue to bet with William Hill, as the sportspesa app is pesa poor!

Like Chang beer, we never seem get to get sponsored by brand that I want to use...

Dennis Stevens
5 Posted 25/05/2017 at 20:12:31

4 friendlies in 10 days – we should be ready for Europa League!

John Raftery
6 Posted 25/05/2017 at 22:40:47

As the first team squad are in the Netherlands that week, I assume we will be sending a mixture of Under-18s and Under-23s plus any surplus players such as Niasse and McGeady, if they have not moved on by that stage.

Philip Jeffries
7 Posted 26/05/2017 at 04:01:24

All tied in with sponsorship deals and they are expected to have a 60,000 sell-out crowd with live coverage across the whole of the region. Corporate exposure and cash. Just play the game, take the money and jump back on the plane. Job done.

Ian Linn
9 Posted 26/05/2017 at 06:03:40

I have no idea why Everton don't tour the States for pre-season. They'd get decent crowds, play reasonable sides (for pre season) and get Everton some exposure in the biggest untapped soccer market in the world.

Tanzania – what's the point?

Paul Hughes
10 Posted 26/05/2017 at 07:53:32

I'd love to read Ken Buckley's 'From My Seat' on that one! I wonder if there is a Room of Nonsense in downtown Dar es Salaam.

David Chait
11 Posted 26/05/2017 at 09:41:45

Paul,it's Q Bar is definitely the Room of Nonsense!

Can't believe I've lived here now 4 years and when Everton come to visit I'm in Europe on holiday. FML!

Why come to Tanzania... couple reasons. Firstly upliftment. Clubs like to be seen to give back. It's not a hard flight to get here, play and return. Minimal time difference. So what's the big deal? Doesn't Africa deserve a tour?

The Premier League in Tanzania is a religion. I see many many Everton shirts being worn. Does surprise me. But people also wear shirts without actually supporting the team.

Secondly, I'm sure Sportpesa had something to do with it. There's a few million reasons there to bring it to the region. Must say I would have thought Nairobi would have been the venue of choice.

Alan J Thompson
12 Posted 26/05/2017 at 10:39:45

Is it on the way to the Netherlands? Must be some logic in there other than having a bet on the game.

Eddie Dunn
13 Posted 26/05/2017 at 11:00:27

Just did a bit of research and it is interesting that Tanzania has a crisis of gambling especially among young men. Kenya is also the grip of a boom in gambling shops and Sportpesa is leading the way.

Gambling in Tanzania

Matthew Williams
14 Posted 26/05/2017 at 15:50:40

The question is... will we win there?

Penalties don't count neither!

Nigel Munford
15 Posted 28/05/2017 at 08:47:06

David, thank you for the insight into the why. I'm hoping it enlightens people on here that football is a global game, so why shouldn't Everton have a game there? Pity about your European trip.

Colin Glassar
16 Posted 28/05/2017 at 10:04:29

Africa is a huge, untapped, market. It's also, according, to the experts, a booming market with a growing middle class who have money to spend. I think it's a good idea to test the waters.

Colin Glassar
17 Posted 28/05/2017 at 19:30:14

There's a great piece in the Echo about an Everton fan (a Yank) who's on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.

I know it's not related to this story but it just shows there are Blues everywhere. Apparently, there are two more Evertonians on this ginormous ship. Check it out.

Tony Hill
18 Posted 28/05/2017 at 19:40:43

It's a top article, Colin, and good of the club to send his son's shirt signed by Howard.

The African dimension is very good news - a much more rooted and fruitful source of talent than, say, the US, Thailand or Australia. As you say, the continent is going to become ever more important.

I note what Eddie Dunn says about gambling, a human pleasure and a potential curse, in Tanzania, and we need to keep an eye on Sportpesa's performance. I would hope that our involvement with them, and their own business strategy, will mean that they don't exploit vulnerable people.

Colin Metcalfe
19 Posted 28/05/2017 at 20:26:31

I have been to many African countries and yes they are as corrupt as they come but I wouldn't underestimate just how much money there is flowing though that continent .

This could be a shrewd move by the club as Africa has plenty of room for economic growth; however, it's got to be done right. We had a Thai beer sponsor for god knows how long and we didn't really get a foothold in Asia.

Colin Glassar
20 Posted 28/05/2017 at 20:57:03

Football is far more ingrained in Africa than it is in the USA, Asia or Oceania. So I agree with Tony and Colin that this could be a very shrewd move on our part.

Gerry Quinn
21 Posted 28/05/2017 at 23:18:12

Here is the article about the US Navy Evertonian in Virginia

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fan-flies-flag-board-13105452

Colin Glassar
22 Posted 29/05/2017 at 19:27:23

Cheers, Gerry!

Tom Brown
23 Posted 06/06/2017 at 15:53:41

David Chait... and anyone else who has experience in Tanzania.

I'm seriously considering going out for the game. I've travelled widely but never in Africa. RwandAir are cheap but seem to be dodgy reviews around. I'd only have hand luggage so as long as they get me there and back...

Thinking of going out for 5/6 days based in Dar es Salaam and trying to pick up some tickets for the game. What do you think?

Jim Potter
24 Posted 10/06/2017 at 17:52:53

Tom B,

Having lived and worked in Dar es Saleem for 3 years I can recommend the trip – very safe and reasonably priced once there, but it may cost you bit on flights.

British Airways stopped flying direct some years ago. KLM is pretty good via Amsterdam. Kenyan Airways were my preference via Nairobi. Other choices are via the Middle East.

If you do go – I'm sure David or myself could give you some recommendations (but NOT to the Q Bar as David suggests – as it would give a whole new meaning to 'groin injury')!

Andy Cliffe
25 Posted 11/06/2017 at 18:45:11

Hi, I am thinking of going, one of the questions is how will I get a ticket? Can anyone recommend a good safe hotel and what is the security situation?

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