Kaka for Kenya

By Gilbert Wandera

The world’s most expensive player Kaka could be coming to Kenya next month.

The Real Madrid forward is expected to be part of the Brazilian national team that will take on Harambee Stars on August 1 in an international build-up match.

Brazil will make a three-week tour of the East Africa region from July 17 beginning with Burundi, then Uganda before winding up in Kenya.

Adam Jayme Muniz, the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Brazilian Embassy, said yesterday they were negotiating with Kaka who joined Real Madrid two days for a record Sh7.3 billion transfer fee. "He is highly likely to come with the team during the tour," he said during a press conference.

The Standard was the first newspaper to exclusively break the story on April 1 about the visit by Brazil’s national team. Among those who have confirmed to be part of the tour include 1994 World Cup Winner with Brazil Paulo Sergio.

Played 13 times

The 27-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder has played 13 times for Brazil. He won the champions league with Munich in 2001.

Also coming is former Barcelona forward Giovani Silva. He currently turns out for Mirim Esporte in Brazil. Silva was in the Brazil team that lost the 1998 World Cup finals to France. He has played 20 times for his country and won the Copa America with Brazil in 1997.

Others in the squad are Inacio Baptista, Emerson Pereira and Ze Carlos. Apart from getting Kaka to come to Nairobi, other players who may feature in the tour are Lucio and Ze Roberts.

"They have not confirmed, but we are hoping to convince them to come to Nairobi," said the Brazilian envoy.

The team arrive in Nairobi on July 17 where they will make a three-hour stop-over before flying to Burundi. They will then travel to Uganda before finalising their tour of the region with a Kenyan visit. Apart from playing Harambee Stars, Brazil will also take on a Mombasa Combined side on July 29.

Youth football

Solomon Gacece, Executive Secretary Association of Evangelicals in Africa, who are organising the tour, said they would use the visit to launch youth football development programmes.

"We have already began grassroots empowerment programmes where over 230 coaches across the country have been taken through our training modules," he said.