English Premier League side, Hull City, will play a Friendly against All-Star squad of Kenya Premier League (KPL), at the KCOM Stadium on February 27.
A 47-man squad was selected in Nov. 2016 by a team of Hull City coaches who carried out a two-week visit to the East African nation and watched various training sessions including Ulinzi Stars, Muhoroni Youth, Chemilil, Thika United, Ushuru FC, Bandari, among others. They also watched league matches as well as the two Harambee Stars friendly matches between Liberia and Mozambique, in Nairobi.
According to Ronald Karauri the Chief Executive Officer for SportPesa, the project is part of his company’s efforts in helping Harambee Stars take part in the 2022 World Cup.
Terry Boyle, a development coach at Hull City Academy says, he has been impressed with the pool of talent selected and is optimistic that if the players put their best feet forward, they might land a chance of being picked by scouts who will attend the high profile friendly match.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Football is a funny game. Some of the lads might be scouted and we could find the next Wanyama from there.[/perfectpullquote]
“Obviously, we (Hull City) have the first grabs so if we find one, we will definitely pick,” Boyle said.
The team has some of the most outstanding players in the league including Gor Mahia defender Eric Ouma, Top scorer John Makwata of Ulinzi Stars, Sony Sugar teenage sensation, Joshua Otieno, Leopards’ Harun Nyakha, Western Stima’s Brian Marita and Bandari’s Darius Msagha, among those selected.
The players started camp on Monday and will train for another two weeks before the squad is trimmed down to a final 18-man team, which will travel for the friendly.
Boyle has admitted it will be difficult to choose the final squad but added they will pick players who will have proven to fit into the 4-4-2 system they plan to employ against the English Premier League club.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It is pleasing to see a lot of the Kenyan players are technically gifted and that’s a good place to start working from. The squad was selected basing on players who are technically and physically good enough.[/perfectpullquote]
“Position wise, we will try to identify players who will adapt to the system we will play against Hull,” he added.
Hull City legend and club ambassador, Dean Windass, who famously scored the goal that earned the team promotion to the Premier League in 2008, has promised the players a good atmosphere in England and his only worry is for them to quickly adapt to the winter conditions.
“It is a great experience for the Kenyan boys to play against a very young side who are hungry for success. The weather will be a bit different, but it should be a nice experience for them.
“Playing in a Premier League stadium will also be a great moment for them,” Windass stated.
FKF President, Nick Mwendwa, has asked the players to give it their best and take the opportunity to showcase their talent with sights on furthering their careers at bigger stages.
Hull City are expected to travel to Kenya for another friendly match with another All-Star team in July.
Featured photo: KPL All-Star team during the opening of the camp at Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday, January 17, 2016. (Raymond Makhaya)
