DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania- Former England captain Wayne Rooney and his new Everton FC teammates landed in Dar-es-Salaam to fanfare on Wednesday morning ready to open their pre-season tour with a clash against Kenyan giants Gor Mahia FC.
Upon touching down at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, Everton were accorded a rousing welcome as business came to a stand still with Rooney adding the star dust to the visit of the nine-time English league winners.
After the stirring reception, the English Premier League heavyweight players were ushered into a specially branded bus to begin the ride to their hotel under heavy escort as fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the superstars.
The former England captain is expected to start against the SportPesa Super Cup champions Gor at the National Stadium in Dar on Thursday for his first appearance since returning to his boyhood club on Sunday.
Ronald Koeman left Everton star Ross Barkley out of his 25-man travelling squad to Tanzania with the England international nursing a groin injury.
The Dutch manager also brought the Tofees’ new summer signings Davy Klassen and defender Michael Keane.
Ramiro Funes Mori and Joel Robles are also recovering from knocks while record goalkeeper signing Jordan Pickford, Mason Holgate and Sandro Ramirez are rested after participating in the European Under 21 Championship.
Everton are visiting Tanzania as part of the club’s appreciation for their historic title partnership deal with leading bookmakers SportPesa.
Gor earned the right to play Everton when they blanked arch rivals AFC Leopards SC 3-0 in the 2017 SportPesa Super Cup final at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar on June 11.
Everton squad to Tanzania
Maarten Stekelenburg, Mateusz Hewelt, Chris Renshaw, Tom Davies, Phil Jagielka, Ashley Williams, Callum Connolly, Jonjoe Kenny, Michael Keane, Muhamed Besic, Leighton Baines, Morgan Schneiderlin, James McCarthy, Davy Klaassen, Gareth Barry, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Joe Williams, Kieran Dowell, Kevin Mirallas, Wayne Rooney, Aaron Lennon, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman, Matthew Pennington, Yannick Bolasie.