NAIROBI, Kenya, January 27- Re- Union football club one of the oldest clubs in Kenya, that was among the top three sides along archrivals Gor Mahia and AFC in its hey day will play league champions Tusker on Sunday as it continues its revival.
The match at City Stadium will witness the 1964 league champions entertain the current crown holders as Re, who were the first Kenyan side to win the East and Central African Club Champions Cup in 1976 and went on to retain it in 1977 take the tentative steps of re-establishing themselves.
New club chairman, Joseph Mboss has pledged to sustain the club’s ideals of playing attacking football and giving young players a chance that endeared them to fans across the ethnic divide.
Re held their annual general meeting on January 8 where Mboss was elected to lead the revival of the club that became moribund in the mid 2000s after the death of long serving chairman, Mark Ageng.
Charles Omollo Tude (vice-chair), Henry Otieno (secretary), Thaddeus Oduor (vice-secretary), Omondi Omollo (treasurer), Dr. Richard Arina and Hashim Sheobo (both members) were also elected to the executive committee.
Re capped a memorable 1964 season by famously beating The Ethiopian national team who were the then African Champions and had Prime Minister, Raila Odinga in their squad for that year.
In their chequered history before they were rocked by financial problems that crippled the side at the turn of the millennium, Re produced some of the country’s most famous football sons including legendary goal keeper James Siang’a, ace winger Eric Omonge and striker Charles Ochieng rated among the best headers of the ball.
On Saturday, Gor their arch rivals for the vast Nyanza fan base, take on Sudan’s El Merreikh at Nyayo National Stadium in a high profile friendly as they prepare for the CAF Confederations Cup.
Derbies between Re and Gor used to decide the destination of the league title in the 60s and 70s.