Marco Silva: Show us your mettle Gor Mahia

Everton manager Marco Silva [Courtesy]

Everton manager Marco Silva believes tomorrow’s historic SportPesa Trophy match against visiting Gor Mahia at Goodison Park is ‘perfect opportunity’ for the East African players to market themselves in England and Europe at large.

This will be a repeat of last year’s inaugural tournament’s final in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where the English Premier League side beat K’Ogalo 2-1.

The record Kenyan champions secured a historic rematch with the Toffees after overcoming Tanzanian giants Simba SC 2-0 in June in Nakuru.

Gor already arrived in the UK [Courtesy]

But after watching his side trounce Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 in Saturday’s a home Premier League match graced by the Gor Mahia players, the Portuguese said the upcoming game could be a turning point for the East African region.

Currently, the region boasts of only having one player, Harambee Stars Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur) in the Premier League.

“We are playing a football game, and it is always a good chance to see not just our players but our opponents as well. It is a great moment to see new and opposition’s players in our stadium,” said Silva.

Though the match has its own significance with a lot at stake, the manager said he will make a host of changes on the squad with their focus being on Sunday’s highly anticipated league encounter against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 

“I expect a very good match that will enable us see our different ways of playing. The players have to recover first and get ready for the fixture.  But what we know about Gor Mahia, is that this is an important moment for them because they will be the first African club to play in England,” said Silva.

“However, we are ready for everything. What will be important to us is to give some minutes for different players, but some of the players who played today (Saturday) will definitely be not on the pitch in our next match. I want to be honest and fair with you, our most important game is coming up against Chelsea on Sunday.”

But just like Silva, Irish right back Séamus Coleman, who scored a smashing second goal against Brighton, said they cannot afford to underrate Gor Mahia.

“We are all looking forward to the game on Tuesday. It is a great opportunity to the club and we are ready to welcome everyone at Goodison Park. We don’t know much about Gor Mahia, but I think the manager will do the homework about them. It will be a great match for everyone,” said Coleman.

“I have played against a number of African players and I think it will be an opportunity for Gor Mahia players to show their skill and talent on the night, you never know who will be watching and the opportunity that will come out of this game.

“It is a game that we have to prepare for going into the next Premier League match, but the manager will have to use a strong squad of 26 players we have. We will not take it lightly.”