Gor Mahia v Everton

Thursday 3pm (bst)

The boys in Blue are back!

See, they weren’t gone too long, were they?

A new look Everton will become the first English side to play in Tanzania when they take on Gor Mahia in the 60,000 capacity Tanzania National Main Stadium.

This should be good preparation for the journeys that lie ahead in the Europa League.

It’s almost impossible to know what climate you’ll be playing in come Thursday night in that competition.

So who are Gor Mahia? I’ve got you covered. (With a little help from our mate Wikipedia)

Hailing from Nairobi in Kenya, the side, who are also sponsored by SportPesa, finished runners up in their league last term.

The most successful outfit in Kenya, boasting 15 league titles, they won’t be pushovers in Ronald Koeman’s side’s quest for fitness.

Everyone loves that winning feeling but as we know, pre-season is not about the scoreboard. It’s the results when the season starts that count.

With the SportsPesa Super Cup up for grabs it’s a way for the Blues to start the campaign as they mean to go on… lifting trophies.

It’ll be the first chance for Evertonians to see new faces such as Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen and Michael Keane.

Jordan Pickford and Sandro Ramirez’s maiden appearances will have to wait.

The pair were allowed extended breaks because of their involvement in this summer’s Under 21 European Championships. Mason Holgate also misses out for the same reason.

But other than that, the Toffeemen are set to take a strong squad with healthy competition for places.

So the moment has arrived and what a massive build up it is.

With the potential of 60+ games on the horizon this term, it’s vital everything goes perfectly.

But if anyone can make that happen, Koeman and his backroom staff can.

Oh it’s good to be back.

Up the Toffees.