Kenya face italy: Under-20 side face Azzuri in a friendly at Nyayo Stadium today

By GILBERT WANDERA

FROM LEFT: Fabrizio Lucchesi Italian Club Manager, Antonio Rizzo Vice President Lega Pro, Arcimede Pitrolo Vice President Lega Pro and FKF President Sam Nyamweya during the unveiling of partnership between Kenya and Italy at a Nairobi hotel, yesterday. [PHOTO:JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The national under-20 football side line-up against their Italian counterparts in a historic friendly international match against at Nyayo National Stadium, today.

The match marks the beginning of an anticipated co-operation between the Italian and Kenyan Football Associations.

This is the first time that  a Kenyan team is playing an Italian side and officials from both federations are keen to capitalise on it.

According to Archinede Pitrolo the vice president of Legal Pro, which runs the third and fourth highest football divisions in Italy, today’s friendly match is the beginning of a great partnership between the two.

“This is the beginning of a great era where we hope to co-operate in various aspects and hopefully rub of some of the experience we have on local football,” he said.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chairman Sam Nyamweya said the match has been made a reality following talks that have lasted almost two years.

Improve various aspects

“From now on our players and clubs will have an opportunity to work with their Italian counter-parts in a move that will help them improve,” said Nyamweya.

The Kenyan team will be using today’s match as part of their build-up for the return Africa Youth Cup match against Tanzania. Kenya and Tanzania fought to a barren draw in the first leg match played two weeks ago at Machakos Municipal Stadium.

In a related development, FKF has finalised a two-year kitting deal with Joma.

Under the deal worth more than Sh100 million, the company will kit all national teams - under-17, under-20, under-23 and the senior team. The home kit is white while the away kit is red. Players will also have track-suits and leisure wear.

Great partnership

According to Maurizio Ramacciotti a representative of Joma, they are not paying any money to FKF but have worked out a deal in which the federation will get part of the money from sale of merchandise. “We are delighted to enter into such a partnership with FKF and look forward to a great partnership with the federation,” he said. Nyamweya said they will not buy any kit for the national teams over the next two years. “This is encouraging and it saves us the huge cost of buying kit,” he said.

Nairobi Sports House will sell the new kit. And Italian giants Inter-Milan are scheduled to visit Kenya on May 25 for a series of build-up matches. The team will play national team Harambee Stars and a host of other local clubs. According to Fabrizio Lucchesi who is organising the visit, it is part of the partnership with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to promote youth football in the country. “This is a big project and we need the support of everyone especially the Government. FKF cannot do it alone and so we ask others to come out and lend a hand,” he said.

By Ochieng Oyugi 49 mins ago
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Will Fourmaux finally break M-Sport Ford jinx in Naivasha?
By Ben Ahenda 2 hrs ago
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Tundo revs off first as Ruto flags off Safari
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Speed, fun and drink as Safari Rally action takes over 'Vasha'
Football
Kenya's Talanta Hela U19 boys win Costa Daurada Cup in Spain