Everton in Tanzania

The first game that celebrated striker Wayne Rooney played for Everton immediately after re-joining his childhood Merseyside Club on July 9, 2017 from Manchester United, was against Kenya’s Gor Mahia at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The record-making friendly staged on July 13, 2017 also marked the first time for the Toffees to visit East Africa, a short but highly rewarding tour for both the visitors and the hosts.

Even though the match was staged on a weekday, the stadium was packed with fans jostling for a glimpse of their favourite local and international players as Gor Mahia came out fighting at home, giving Everton a run for their money with the game ending 2-1 in favour of the visiting team. Outside the stadium, it was clear Everton’s maiden trip to East Africa had earned them great admiration and a spectacle as thousands of fans lined up roads leading to the stadium to cheer the first English Premier League team to set foot in Tanzania.