The Capital FM Team pose for a photo with Capital Group chairman Dr Chris Kirubi.PHOTO/Chris Wanjagi
NAIROBI, April 20 – The Road to Anfield champions Capital FM football team will depart Wednesday night for Liverpool to represent Kenya in the fourth edition of the Standard Chartered Trophy Final slated for Saturday.
Capital Group Limited chairman Dr Chris Kirubi encouraged the team to go all their way and become the first African team to win the trophy after Postal Corporation of Kenya lost in last year’s final 2-1 to South Korea.
“You can make it. Go out there and shine, we will be waiting to welcome you back with the trophy. If you win there it will be so wonderful. If you lose one game don’t be discouraged instead you should strive to do better in the next match. You should have the spirit of winning,” Kirubi told the team during a meeting at his office.
In a send-off ceremony hosted by Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, the team of nine was challenged by Capital Group Limited Managing Director Cyrus Kamau and the Bank’s CEO Lamin Manjang to emulate the Kenya 7s team exemplary performance at Singapore leg where they won their maiden Main Cup title.
“This competition is one of its kind and congratulations to the Standard Chartered Bank for mooting such an idea. We are happy that amongst many teams the Team Capital won and we are proud of them. They have been participating in so many events for the last couple of years and I am happy that the Road to Anfield title now belongs to Capital Group Limited,” Kamau said.
“We want to send the team in hope and belief that you will give the best for the country, Capital FM, Africa and the bank. On behalf of the entire management we wish you all the best. We are coming from a time where Kenya 7s has won so the fever is already with us and if they can make it in that world platform why not you guys,” The Capital Group Limited MD challenged.
Manjang on his part said, “football is popular in Africa so as Liverpool FC sponsors we made sure the sponsorship doesn’t stay in UK and that’s how the idea of Road to Anfield was born. Posta did well to finish second last year which gives us confidence that teams from Kenya have potential to win this trophy.”
“Posta went as far as number two so there is only one position left which is number one and we wish you all the best in terms of that. We will be cheering you since you will be flag bearers for Capital FM, Standard Chartered Bank and Kenya. When you win that trophy, just like the rugby 7s heroes we will make sure the whole of Kenya knows about the glory that you have brought,” Manjang added.
The Capital FM team posing for a photo with Standard Chartered CEO Lamin Manjang and Capital Group Limited MD Cyrus Kamau during a send-off ceremony hosted by Standard Chartered Bank.PHOTO/Francis Mbatha
The send-off ceremony was also attended by Capital Group Limited Head of Finance and HR Mary Murigah and Programmes Director Somoina Kimojino who rallied their support behind the team.
The team that will be skippered by Programmes Assistant Producer Lassie Atrash will be buoyed by their recent performance at the StarTimes Media challenge where they finished third.
In Afield, Capital FM will take on teams from hosts United Kingdom, America, Hong Kong, Ghana, Singapore, India and Korea.
The team will start their programme Friday where they will attend a coaching clinic from Liverpool FC legends and coaches at the Liverpool Academy there after the draw will be conducted in the evening.
On Saturday, the team will attend the English Premier League match against Liverpool FC who host relegation threatened New Castle United before the Standard Charted Trophy Final get underway at night under floodlights.
SQUAD:
Alex Isaboke (defender), Lassie Atrash (striker), Shaffi Soud (Goal Keeper), Solomon Okeyo (midfielder), Richard Malumbe (striker), Jeffrey Ooko (midfielder), Ali Athman (defender) Team Manager/player: Duncan Kikata
Assistant Team Manager/player: David Muba.
