Premium
Anfield here we come! Nation FC all set for Liverpool trip
What you need to know:
- Nation FC booked the ticket to Anfield after winning the Standard Chartered Cup in Nairobi last December.
- During the tour, Nation FC players will watch a live EPL match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on May 11.
Nation Football Club has promised to give a good account of themselves and to proudly represent the country at next week’s Standard Chartered Road to Anfield tournament in the UK.
This after the team received a morale-boosting send-off by the company’s top management on Friday.
Nation Media Group (NMG) Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo flagged off the team in a colouful ceremony at Nation Center in Nairobi.
“I’m excited to be associated with this team. Congratulations for qualifying to represent Kenya in the world. This is a serious success. You are our brand ambassadors,” said Mr Odundo.
“You have the full support of NMG and my support as well. Thank you for qualifying, and please go make us proud,” he said.
Nation Media Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo (dark blue jersey) with Nation FC players during the Liverpool trip flag off ceremony at Nation Center on May 01, 2025.
The CEO asked the NMG staff to present ideas on how they want to get involved in sports activities for their health benefits. He also encouraged the Nation Ladies team to emulate their male colleagues.
Also present were top NMG managers, including Chief Corporate Affairs and Partnership Officer, Monicah Ndung’u, Head of Human Resources, Jane Muiruri and Head of Legal Affairs, Sekou Owino.
Ms Ndung’u applauded Nation FC for their great achievement and promised to join the ladies’ team.
Former NMG sports editor, who is a founding member of the team, recounted how in 1994 the team almost won the Moi Golden Cup (now Mozzart Cup) after beating Bandari FC 3-1, among other teams, before being knocked out in the quarter finals by Ulinzi Stars via sudden death golden goal.
Mr Makori thanked NMG for being supportive whenever the team played in various tournaments.
Nation Media Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo (left) and Nation FC captain Elijah Ouko display the Standard Chartered Road to Anfield Tournament trophy that the team won in December 2024 during a flag off ceremony at Nation Center on May 01, 2025.
Team captain Elijah Ouko said the team is rearing to go and is determined to make NMG and Kenya as a whole proud on the global stage.
“Under our team spirit slogan, we shall give our all in the tournament,” Ouko said.
Nation FC booked the ticket to Anfield after winning the Standard Chartered Cup in Nairobi last December.
In the final of the five-a-side national tournament that attracted 40 corporate teams, Nation FC edged out Delloite ‘A’ 1-0 to punch their tickets to Anfield.
Nation FC captain Elijah Ouko (right) presents the official team jersey to Nation Media Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo during the Liverpool trip flag off ceremony at Nation Center on May 01, 2025.
It was sweet victory for Nation FC after they lost to Standard Media Group and Letshego in the finals of the 2013 and 2017 editions of the tournament.
During the UK tour, Nation FC players will watch a live EPL match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on May 11.
The team will also attend training sessions at Liverpool FC Academy with the club’s legends, and will be taken on a tour of Liverpool FC’s Museum and The Beatles Museum.
The travelling party includes Eric Musungu, Elijah Ouko, Samson Kiplagat, Justus Ochieng’, John Mutua, Cliff Chirchir and Allan Munga.
