Kariobangi Sharks 1 - 1 Everton (4 - 3 on Penalties)

Would like to see Baningime get in a good run.

No Ellis Simms then?

Ellis Simms was announced as going 2 weeks ago so what is the problem. Not an injury in training I hope, before the season starts.

We're ok, we've got Oumar.

I thought we had got rid of Oumar ?

Pat K, could be part of the master-plan Niasse stays with the Kariobabgis for a modest fee after the match. I believe they have loads of spare lockers too.

All in all, there are very few first teamers amongst the travelling party, looks more like an assessment of the youngsters we have in the ranks.

I heard that Ellis Simms wouldn't come off his Xbox when called for his tea so his mum said "Right yer not going to Kenya."

Couple of good youngsters getting a run out, hopefully they have kept themselves ticking over to give themselves a big chance before the season starts.

I think Gibson and Adeniran could come away from it gaining the most, both will be big fixtures within the u23 set up and may gain a place training a lot with the first team if they show Silva the correct things on this tour.

Interesting that the three listed above don't even get on the plane. Perhaps transfers are imminent.

Looks like 8 central midfielder's in Adeniran, Baningime, Connolly, Gomes,
Davies, Williams, Schneiderlin, Markelo. No McCarthy? Thought he would have liked to have a look at him

Lyndon, Bolasie is still in the Africa Cup of Nations & DR Congo play Madagaskar on Sunday so would not be available anyway.

Interesting that McCarthy, Pennington, Garbutt, Besic & Tarashaj are not going. Hope they have deals lined up. 5 more off the list.

Besic was on international duty as well at end of season like Coleman, gilfi, digne and English lads, but the rest yeah don't know

Shane @9, at least they didn't throw them to the Sharks!

A chance for a breakthrough for a few but it's also for tuning up.
The result is of no consequence as rotations will be made.

I cant really believe at the beginning of another preseason we are dragging out Niasse again, I know it's hard shifting players but this current squad just isn't really good enough.

Let's hope all our squad enjoy the trip to Kenya and the club doctors have ensured thoroughly that everyone has been adequately medicated against malaria ect.

Many a Premier League player has gone to malaria endemic parts of Africa and fallen ill, once happened to the Yak when he was at Boro.

Take no risks with a disease that can become very serious.

Twenty two players have made the trip, I imagine they will will all play at some stage of the game.

Victoria the young goalkeeper is not on the list, rumours in one of the papers this morning he is going on loan to Reading for one year, are they still in the championship?

Where's Kevin Mirallas? Did he report back? What a decision it was to give him that contract extension, when he couldn't get into a match squad.
Wondering if we won't get any further signings till we announce another departure.

Had a brilliant evening with Ossie and Peanuts at the opening of the Nairobi supporters club. Two absolute legends. Ossie is a true Evertonian; the antipathy for the RS runs very deep. We spoke of the Clattenburg derby - he had some choice and funny things to say.

Andre Gomes is a very humble chap and bloody tall. He has the physique for this league, no doubt about it.

Mason Holgate very chatty and friendly. Sadly my son was star struck so he was muted despite Mason's best efforts to banter with him.

Amit

Do you live in Kenya or are you just visiting for the game? Is there much buzz locally?

Amit

Osman is a very passionate fella that's true, never met Gomes or Holgate so can't speak for those lads but Ossie is a real character tough mentally and diehard blue.

David 11

Pennington is injured. Can't believe Darron Gibson made the squad. :) It will be interesting to see how Silva uses these friendlies. Last summer he pretty much used the whole squad, switching 10 or 11 at half time as he was presumably assessing the team.
This time around, will he focus on getting the regulars up to speed? Give some youngsters a chance to impress? or try to stick some jokers in the shop window? It will be difficult to facilitate all three. Personally I would focus on using the regulars and maybe 3 or 4 of the most promising youngsters.

It was only at the mention of Gomes that I realized that it wasn't a "reserve" squad but just those already back for preseason training.

Alan 23

That being said, I seem to recall last year it came out that Everton have a contractual obligation to field a certain number of first teamers in these African match ups. So it could be that it is essentially the reserves plus the required quote of first teamers. Would explain some of the other senior ommissions?

Amit, great report. Keep 'em coming!

Darron Gibson, thought he'd gone ages ago. I think its going to be harder shifting all the dead wood than signing a top player.

Pickford is still on a come-down

Mike @26 Moyes pulled a masterstroke and signed him on a permanent contract when at Sunderland, along with anichebie. It's no wonder they got relegated.

I see VAR has got it wrong again in the Women's world cup. Legimate goal ruled off by a shit camera angle

I think it's Lewis Gibson lads not Petrol Pump Daz.

A PR Exercise but good for moral I suppose.

Daily Fail reporting Moshiri wants Diego Costa.
Costa v Ferguson a lot of people would pay to see that.
Costa v Van Dijk - get it on.
A real pity its a load of crap.

I think the potential for us in Africa is vast both commercially and for recruitment. Nigeria has a lot of Blues and Kenya is a fast developing nation (subject to Amit's obviously far better view of things). Pienaar is a figure in South Africa.

If we can build a proper platform in that continent then it could do us a power of good.

Can't believe any of you on here thought that Leon Osman was anything but a dyed in the wool blue. I would never have even questioned where his loyalties lay.

ETID = Leon Osman

Good post, Amit. Haven't heard much from you of late. I think you live in S. Africa? So on hols at the moment? Or a trip to see the blues (rarely a holiday!)?

Niasse to bag a couple of goals, skills of a Sunday footballer, never fails to baffle and amaze within minutes, but certainly pulls a goal out of the bag when called upon.

I am going for a 3-1 win, Niasse double and Broadhead.

Tony @32. I was in South Africa earlier this year. Everton are well supported there as a result of the Pienaar connection. Plenty of Everton shirts, current and vintage, in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Most South Africans follow the EPL pretty closely so as soon as they realised that I was British they wanted to talk football. I was surprised how many referred to the Pienaar - Baines partnership.

Kieran #22, great bit of fishing there, mate! You caught Mike #26.

Of course the Gibson mentioned is Lewis Gibson, the U23 CB.

Jim @ 21 aye. Ossie comes across as measured in the media but get him going on the RS and a torrent of comedy and cracks ensue.

Tony @32 Kenya is really growing. SportPesa is expanding globally and I talked to their CEO. They are planning more sponsorships across sports. Their worry is that UK govt is mulling curbing betting advertising. It would be a blow - as I think the Everton partnership has worked well for them and they sounded very keen to do more.

Mike @ 25 - I was lucky enough to be invited to a dinner by SportPesa. Managed to chat with Sasha R and Marcel Brands. Marcel Brands is one of the nicest people you will meet. He gave nothing away on transfers save to say that they had some firm targets and also were working to offload players. Sasha R - a very shrewd man. We chatted about his career pre Everton. Deep experience in Finance, raising money and deal making. A top Pro and his knowledge of other many things was very good. He was passionate about the Women's team and spoke of "Fair pay" - but said that City and Utd were pumping serious cash and we would face a challenge.

Brent @ 34 my South African sojourn ended a couple years back and I moved to Kenya to be with me elderly ma. Very lucky that the mighty blues are visiting. Kenyan football is still developing. Asked a question of Marco Silva on what he expects tomorrow - he said he thought Kariobangi Sharks were young, energetic but probably tactically inexperienced. Nonetheless, first pre season game, lots of rust in the legs so I think the work out is what is important.

I am heading to the game (several kms out of town in a monolith stadium) and will report back. I expect a sell out. Normal tickets are $1 and VIP tickets are $10 so I think 60,000 will be there.

Interestingly, Sasha Ryazantsev is married to a Nigerian and has a real affinity for Africa and Nigeria.

Kieran @ 20 there is huge buzz. EitC arrived here and got fantastic local coverage. They did work in the poorest neighbourhoods and received applause from all quarters. The game will be screened on 3 local channels!

A comedy moment involved Walcott. The dinner I was invited to was in the same hotel players were staying in. Theo pops down to the hotel restaurant to grab some treats, hoping to leg it back to his room. He is immediately surrounded by serving staff and spent 10 minutes taking selfies whilst clutching 2 muffins and standing in his socks! He thought he could dash in and out.

He was the most recognised player who came (even more than Andre Gomes) - given how popular Arsenal are here.

Very pleasing to hear that about Brands and Ryazantzev, Amit. Proper operators and cool, ambitious realists.

Ryazantsev, apologies.

Great stuff, Amit. I envy you the opportunity to mix with all those fascinating people. What a terrific experience!

This is hardly the correct article for my comments, but why is it all the fancy foreign dans that we are constantly being linked with? The here today for silly money gone tomorrow brigade. Is every player in the Championship downwards so poor as to not warrant careful scrutiny and an opportunity at a higher level ? Any comments Mr Cahill or Mr Jagielka?

Astley deserves a game. He doesn't lose his man, he faces down shots and he is not a dirty player. As he said to an opposing striker “never gonna give you up, never gonna turn around or hurt you.”

I'm looking forward to the report, Amit. Hope the rest of the visit goes well for the team and you.

Some very interesting posts on this thread. Not so sure of the suggestion that Oumar Niasse (Senegalese) would be cool with the idea of jumping ship in Kenya. Perhaps we should visit Serbia just to see if Mo Besic ‘feels at home'?

Si

Bit of an extreme analogy. Don't think Kenyans and Senegalese have ever fought one another in a fratricidal war.

Amit, I'm based in Riyadh and met the aforementioned Mark Clattenburg a few times at events at the British Embassy. Like most, I'd carried a burning resentment of that October 2007 Derby match. When I first met him, a mischievous colleague - knowing my feelings - told him I was an Everton fan and his response astounded me. He knew which game I was sore about, and basically said he had a 'mare. I'd been convinced all those years that Slippy had encouraged him to give a red to Hibbo when he was going to show a yellow - he flatly denied that, but admitted he should've red carded Kuyt and given us a penalty late on, when Spit the Dog dragged Lescott down.

Unsurprisingly he told me his biggest referee friend in the game was Collina. At that stage I'd lost the will to live, and wished him luck on his move to China. I was told by one of his friends that we was on half a million a year, tax free, in the Middle East, so can only imagine he's getting paid a lot more in China.

Kieran, yes I deliberately used an extreme comparison to highlight how even neighbouring countries can have massive differences.
Even though I'm sure it was simply made in jest the post implies that all African countries cultures are broadly interchangeable.

Not on pay per view this season, so need to be a Everton member to see the pre season games now.

Does any know if they are showing it on you tube

Having no ppv for me is a kick in the teeth to all those who can't afford a membership.

Looks like 433, Connolly right back, holgate and Gibson CB Baines left back

Anyone able to get it to work on Everton tv? Just keeps saying I have to be a member to watch even though I have season ticket bought under the same login!

It's on UTube Sports Pesa at the moment anyway.

I've logged in to my efc account, but there's no link to the game under the Everton TV tab.

OK, its Everton home screen, open the article, link at the bottom.

FFS bought a bleedin membership 20 mins ago and its not registered yet, so still can't watch the game GRRR

Niasse up front. What's the point?

james does the utube sport pesa link work - see #56 above

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_bsRQ3oPvc

Lookman crocked in the first ten minutes

Broadhead on

He tries to run it off, but goes to ground again. Walks off without help, but looks a bit upset

U tube stream is dire.

What has Niasse done to his hair. Copper top. Appropriate for our DURACELL BUNNY

thanks for the you tube link

The Sharks have more bite than us so far.

Brent, thank you, had to resort to the old 'turn it off, turn it back on again'
At least an upgrade from the days off- It's not working !!--well give it a thump and see if that helps

Sharks score

1-0 to the mighty Sharks

God gola. No slouches this team.

youtube is dire stream but better than nothing but not as bad as us

It's been coming to be fair.

Can I be the first to say Holgate will never make it?

Holgate at fault playing offside game

Brands has just signed the Sharks goalscorer

We look terrible. Lucky it's only pre season!

Sharks shudda been two up

Nearly two. They're giving us a footballing lesson here!

Some cracking Sharks moves

You're seeing 4 days worth of training, slow bodies, slow minds and with only 1-3 true first teamers out there against a decent side

Gomes showing his nasty side. Beginning to wonder about his attitude.

love that tackle by Gomes

High altitude maybe to blame. A EFC midfield with Gueye is not good ! Gomes getting himself into trouble again with that short temper of his not good.

Where was Chief Brody during that shark attack? He should have been in his watchtower on the beach ringing his bell

They are running us into the ground. We are slow and out of ideas.

We're going to need a bigger boot

The YouTube reception is like watching England play in Albania back in the 70s

I reckon only Broadhead would get into this Sharks team. Mind you, they did finish 9th in the Kenyan League last season, so they're no mugs.

Still one down. Kenya believe it.

Gomes is in a right nark. Kicking everything in sight.

Holgate doesn't look comfortable at centre half, should give him 2nd half at right back, where he did well at WBA

Is it too late to get Jagielka back?

Might get some 'shark repellant' at half time !

These efc players will be glad when this season is finally over - they look so tired at the end of it.

Sack Silva

How are you all watching this game ??

Is it on Everton TV, and if so is it free to season ticket holders ?

Osman commenting - all his fault.

Free to STHs. Si. Everton tv tab, link almost at bottom of page

Flew in less than 48 hours before the game. Playing at high altitude, under the full African sun, with a team littered with U-23 and fringe players.

Hardly surprising it all looks shambolic.

They've got some dangerous pace in attack and made it pay, albeit greatly assisted by Holgate. Watching the 1st teamers is interesting. Baines still got it. Schneiderlin being Schneiderlin. Gomes very lethargic and showed (again) his stupid nasty side with a completely unnecessary piece of retaliation. Walcott anonymous apart from his pass to Broadhead he should have scored from. Walcott should have done better rolling the ball into Connolly but it didn't have enough pace or angle on it for the full back to have a right bang at the ball. Davies the pick for me in our midfield.

But poor fare, no doubt.

Si, it's on YouTube mate not great, but better than nothing, it's a painful watch to date.

Always have to remind myself that pre season results are meaningless. Still, doesn't instill confidence. Very early days yet though.

Just google You tube, Everton in Kenya and your straight in

It's a kickabout in the sun, can't draw any firm conclusions from it. Players aren't fit, no cohesion, no game plan. Just like a regular Saturday really.

You might be sorry you bothered, Everyone of them are blowing out of their arses.

Good preparation, but nothing to learn at this stage

The most interesting thing about watching this, is that it puts the Womens World Cup into context. The gap really isn't that great between the 4th best women's national team, the 9th best Kenyan men's club team, and Everton.

Sigh. . .

Harsh Michael. Very harsh.

On who Pat?

All the kids on now. Should be better.

JUST A QUICK TIP TO IMPROVE THE PICTURE PLAYBACK CLICK ON SETTINGS BUTTON BOTTOM RIGHT AND TURN OFF AUTMATIC BUTTON.

The women. They put up some fight. Incurred some horrific injury. It's no fun being stretchered off with a broken nail.

Nice to realise that these Kenyan lads yearly pay of £15000 Is equivalent to what Gomes earns a day !!

excellent Pat.

I hope Josh Bowler gets some first team minutes this season.

you can already see the U23 style and understanding in this second half.

Quint has changed most of the crew at half time.

Funny how much better we look with all the U23s on! The enthusiasm is brilliant, as is the intensity

We're going to win the league. Just play the kids.

and a goal by Joe :)

Cute goal from Williams

U23s definitely have a style that has survived the summer. Bowler looks dangerous.

My first impressions of the kids are actually quite positive.

Michael, as much to do with the fact they know each other's play. So many of the moves reminiscent of U23s.

Yes Brent, you're probably right. They look like a team.

Feel sorry for Gibson, class act last year but struggling with Holgate. Williams done more in 10mins than Davies managed in 45mins

Mike #126. The Gibson-Feeney double act and understanding is superb for U23s.

Where is Feeney, he travelled

Good question Mike. I don't know.

Giving the ball back to Holgate this half. So much more composure. Everything starting from there

Feeney coming on

So Feeney - Gibson back together

There goes the composure LOL

Wish the YouTube cameraman had taken the lens cover off.

Banningme looks very lethargic, must be his first game in a year or so, never ever got a game at Wigan or Bolton whoever it was

loved the commentators comments on the no-penalty.

if that was Manure that would have been a pen all day long...

On the chat down the side of the you tube feed a couple of Africans have predicted we will be relegated.

I thought we were quick to judge

Better quality here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVHBtTl1Xdo

Or just go to the source: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktnnews/

Pat Kelly sending TW's greetings

Good run out for Gibson.

Thanks Siren, much clearer picture.

Cracking celebration for the penalty

Penalty shootout

Williams fails to score

We could definitely learn something from their celebrations

Michael, I'd rather have Quality Street!

Good penalty by Broadhead

Oh dear

Really annoying - should have taken the SportPesa trophy seriously, it's our best chance of silverware.

Sack Silva!

You win nothing with kids

Beaten on penalties, that's unusual. The lads did very well in the second half though. A couple of possible players there

The only thing I've learned from that is not to watch pre-season friendlies.

Everton couldn't beat a team of blindmen in a penalty shoot out.

Could be worth keeping Joe Williams for the first team squad?

Worth watching just for the penalty shootout goal celebrations.

We don't do Cups

Yes, James. There's a few of the U23s I like and would love to come through. Though we know if doesn't often happen. I like Gibson (and with Feeney); Adeniren; Bowler - just for starters. And watch that Ryan Astley.

Did we lose lol?

What happened to the John Moores Cup that we used to compete in?

We always had a pretty good chance playing Tranmere to lift a Cup, cant we go back to that!?

Brent, most showed the senior members up, hope they get more chances to impress.

Jonas was colossl

McCarthy injured that's why he didn't travel. Muscle injury apparently. Is there any club out there that would even want to take him off our hands?

Thought the kids done ok in the second half. It's just been reported that their first penalty kick has been headed back to Nairobi from a giraffe in the Masai Mara.

John H, the St John's Ambulance first 11 are on the case as we speak.

Rob, stuck his neck out then.

Derek #160 - yes, U23s were our strongest hand. Now, I wonder if they've had more time training?

Brent

For the veterans like Walcott they've been through enough preseasons to know it's about building up fitness. For the kids there is a huge incentive to impress Silva in the absence of the seniors.

Fantastic day out meeting a bunch of Blues who had taken the trouble to fly out. A few actually arrived before and had gone into a Shanty town and gave out goodies to the less fortunate. Just emphasizes the class of our lot. Brilliant ambassadors.

Kasarani was packed and partisan. However after a bright start, we slowed the game down. Awe and anticipation gave way to slight bemusement. The Sharks smelled blood.

The ref was useless. He got a few calls wrong. It looked to us like Lookman had been the victim of an off the ball challenge. Their lot were baring their teeth, snapping into challenges and going in for the kill.

Then, blood was in the water. A razor sharp move punctured our back line and led to a goal. Pandemonium in the stands as disbelieving Kenyans could not believe the home side were in front. I thought the goal was offside but apparently not. It was well crafted and a smart finish.

They continued to threaten and we were treading water. Andre was snarky and got a booking. Morgan looked like a fish out of water, whilst Walcott looked on helplessly as the supposedly first teamers looked like novice swimmers thrashing around.

Second half and Unsy's boys were sent out. We instantly looked hungrier, fitter, sharper. We had the Sharks pegged back and our wide boys were very impressive. Broadhead looks a real find, and I like the look of young Robinson.

Joe Williams scored a great equaliser after Hornby missed a good chance. We continued to press and caused their keeper to make a good save.

Onto penalties and inevitably we had a couple of poor penalties which their keeper was delighted to gobble up.

The crowd were in a frenzy as Sharks lifted the cup.

Overall: fantastic atmosphere and affirmation of the quality in the U23 ranks.

Sadly:
Niasse
Schneiderlin
Lookman (pre injury)

Looked as if they were trying to avoid too much physical contact. Perhaps conserving themselves for a transfer away?

Gomes was pleasing on the eye initially but became frustrated. I actually thought Davies did ok but generally we were poor in the first half. Second half the wide boys, Robinson and Williams upped the pace

Adeniran is a real unit but made a few errors. Beni looked really out of sorts.

Hey ho, onwards and upwards. We failed to lift the cup but the club made friends and, I hope, Silva uses the second half performance as a platform to blood a couple of the promising lads.

Kids>first team? Perhaps they came back to training earlier?

Yet again this midfield looks extremely sluggish when Gueye is missing. I hope Walcott will not get as much game time this season.

I'm concerned by how few players we've sold so far. Still so much deadwood to shift.

Kieran #167 - very possibly true.

Amit 168. Thanks for the report. Couldn't get to see it myself

Anyone else - how did everyone play?

Particularly interested in Gibson (picked ahead of U23 captain Feeney), Robinson (can he challenge at left back) and Williams (rave reviews at last 2 loan clubs).

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum my arse! Well done to the young lads, especially the penalty takers for having the bottle to have a go, in front of a large, very partisan crowd.

That said, we should not be losing these games, first pre-season game or not.

Tony @ 172. You can't really be that upset after losing today. It was a training match

Any loss, even on penalties upsets me. With the resources we have plus the advance training techniques at our disposal and a supposedly multi million pound coaching set up, we should be beating a third rate African team.

Kevin @ 171, didn't get a great look in the first half, YouTube link was like looking through a frosty window, managed to get a better link second half, but was enough to leave a good impression on some of the youngsters.

None of them were poor by any means, and basically more committed than a lot of the first teamers were in the first half, the ones who stood out for me were Bowler, Broadhead, Williams, Gibson in particular, but Robinson was okay and Astley will be some player if he continues his progress, he is basically a bit younger than the others.

Compared to other pre-seasons this was encouraging although we lost on penalties, due mainly to the youngsters, who previously have just gone through the motions, without leaving any lasting impressions. Must hope he continues to use them in other games coming up.

Kenya — believe that shit?!

Prediction: Most of us will forget about this match very quickly.

Kevin @171,

I watched the game on the OS so unfortunately the link was crystal clear. We were shite in the first half – difficult to pick out anyone who was decent – but in the second half I'd say our U23 team would definitely finish top half in the Kenyan Premier League.

Broadhead, Josh Bowler, and Joe Williams currently look they're capable of decent careers in the lower divisions but only time will tell if they're going to be any better than that. Have to admit I can't see a breakthrough into the first team for anyone this season, though for me Bowler was the most eye-catching of them – but he didn't look any better than, say, Vlasic.

Just got in, never saw anything of the game, but that crowd, was there really more than 64,000 there, fantastic if true, but those African fans deserve better fare than the mostly reserve team players Everton sent to play this game, no disrespect to the reserves, apparently better than most of the senior players.

Better than the first team players they were, Dave. You watch the U23s as well so we both know how well they understand each other. Unsworth has drilled a collective understanding into them. More than the sum of their parts.

I don't get to see the U23's play, so today was a bit of a treat for me. Having a chance to put faces to names. The game itself was essentially meaningless.

Watching Copa America final right now. I see Richarlison has made it back to at least dress. Mumps in adults can be messy.

Anyone got a Copa America link?

http://www.hesgoal.com/news/49423/Brazil_vs_Peru_----_ENG.html

Thanks Mike

Richarlison on. 75 minute mark.

Pointless having a moan at the result of trying to analyse the match. Glorified training game!

Jesus, 185 comments?? Its a friendly, I suppose it's a testament to us Blues.

I still have to laugh though at the posters who are getting worked up about the team selected, subs, and then horror of the penalty shootout.

It will have absolutely no bearing on the season ahead.

I don't normally post negative thoughts... But are we the worst top-flight club side in the world at penalty shootouts?

I know someone will know the answer and I know we have to be in the top 3 . The criteria being top flight club, last 40 years? I honestly suspect we are.

Kenya believe that shit?!

Prediction: Most of us will forget about this match very quickly.

'Doomed, Mr. Mannering, doomed !!'

Yeah so much negativity. At least we made the final.

Cowabunga Sharks? Don't the Ninja Turtles play for them? And they're teenagers just like our team.

Mind you they have a very Brazilian sounding front line of Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo and Raphael.

We'll come out of our shell soon.

A complete waste of time. Hope we don't fook up this pre-season like we did last time...

Jesus. Training game or not, it's pathetic we can't beat these. Our standards are shocking.

Professionals should be trying to win EVERY game and all the excuses are meaningless. Start as you mean to go on.

A few weeks off and we're like an overweight, knackered alehouse team (again). Seems we'll never learn that standards have to be maintained in all matches, this isn't a fucken part-time hobby.