Rooney scores first Everton goal in Tanzania friendly with Kenyan club

Tanzania

Newly signed Everton striker Wayne Rooney has scored his first goal for the club on Thursday since his return against Kenyan top flight club Gor Mahia in Tanzania.

Rooney gave Everton a lead in spectacular 34th-minute strike at the packed Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium where the pitch was invaded by a Manchester United shirt-wearing fan who wanted to hug the star.

? | WayneRooney returns with a stunning goal just 34 minutes into his second #EFC debut! ? #EvertonInTZ pic.twitter.com/59OQP4ioz4
— Everton (Everton) July 13, 2017

Gor Mahia, a Kenyan premier league club that earned the right to play Everton after winning the regional SportPesa Super Cup managed to equalise through Jacques Tuyisenge.

Everton’s Kieran Dowell scored the winning goal in the last 10 minutes with another world class strike.

? kierandowell1's fine strike! ? Relive all the talking points in our #EvertonLive Blog ➡️ https://t.co/loWVhfJns3 pic.twitter.com/BDEcWPvRXZ
— Everton (Everton) July 13, 2017

The stadium was filled with Everton jersey-wearing fans who came out in their numbers to see the world class players.

The team arrived in Tanzania for a two-day tour as part of the club’s new sponsorship deal with African betting firm SportPesa.

SportsPesa is the new shirt sponsor of Everton FC replacing Thai brewing company Chang which has been their main sponsor since 2004.

Upon arrival at the airport, the team went to a hotel in the capital where they engaged in traditional cooking lessons with Tanzanian chefs.

Some of the players also visited a local primary school, a hospital and then met with the Albino football team at the Uhuru Stadium.

?? | MoBesic, 1TomDavies and Michael Keane have been training with Albino United and presented them with the new away shirt. #EvertonInTZ pic.twitter.com/FVsbH6DTRX

— Everton (@Everton) July 12, 2017

Mapokezi ya Timu ya everton yakiendelea hivi sasa jijini Dar! #EvertonInTZ pic.twitter.com/0JeSWFabSb
— SportPesa Tanzania (TZSportPesa) July 12, 2017

They were also treated to some traditional Tanzanian dance displays.

?? | WayneRooney, SchneiderlinMo4, Mirallas and jonjoekenny8 meet Maasai warriors and learn more about East African culture. #EvertonInTZ pic.twitter.com/U8NhV2UrAF
— Everton (Everton) July 13, 2017

A series of workshops were held with football teams, administrators and journalists at several locations in the city interspersed with visits to tourist sites in the East African country.

I've already proudly flown the blue flag in Tanzania so I hope you boys carry on spreading the word where I left off ? #ConnectingBlues pic.twitter.com/HzPL2HZTTE

— Andrew Pemberton (@A_Pembo1982) July 12, 2017

Many fans came out to see Wayne Rooney while others travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo to see Congolese winger Yannick Bolasie who plays for Everton FC.

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