Ghana and what not.

Neiler · June 1, 2009

We're all going on our summer holidays........................:

Everton have confirmed that they will visit Ghana as part of their pre-season preparations.

The trip will represent the first time the Toffees have played in Africa.
Their opponents have yet to be decided, but will be arranged in due course.

In an interesting twist, a public vote is set to decide whether they will face either Ashanti Kotoko or Hearts of Oak on 12th July.
While the fixtures will go down in history, Everton boss David Moyes is not expected to call upon a full strength squad.

A number of the Toffees' key men will be awarded an extended summer break as they prepare to tackle 2010 World Cup qualifiers at the end of a gruelling campaign which saw the Merseysiders secure a fifth place finish in the Premier League and fall narrowly short against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

*Cue Stephan Appiah rumour.

bluebloodinmyveins · June 1, 2009

Strange choice or masterstroke im not quite sure?

Goat · June 1, 2009

Everton in shadow squad shocker. Surely that means we are sending the under 12s or even the Ladies team. Because without our "key men", that leaves us about 5 players.

Neiler · June 1, 2009

Wouldnt be any harm looking to raise our profile or even perhaps set up an academy out there some current players of note:

Mensah
Appiah
Essein
Muntari
Annan

Scottoffee · June 1, 2009

Little surprised that we're off to Africa and not heading to Nigeria.

Can only assume that with our 3 Internationals and existing tie-ins with academies there, that the decisions been made to increase our presence elsewhere.

Desaparecido · June 1, 2009

Somalia, Angola, Ghana, Ghana, Ghana!

Namdrater · June 1, 2009

Come to South Africa man. Manchester City is coming here this year.

McBain · June 2, 2009

Most Ridiculous Thing Ive Ever Heard.

Ghana.

WTF are they thinking?

Way to throw money away on a terrible place to tour.

Bundy · June 2, 2009

... and who do we get? Celtic for goodness sakes.

Andriy.EFC · June 2, 2009

Ghana? Oh yeah, I hear there's a big Premiership market there. This will certainly help us fight with the big boys on the global market.

....................... What the hell!??

bluebloodinmyveins · June 2, 2009

There is a big market in Africa, but Ghana is a strange choice to play. South Africa or Nigeria would make a lot more sense.

atrottel · June 2, 2009

McBain said:
Way to throw money away on a terrible place to tour.

A jilted country speaks...(perhaps they couldn't get a good deal on Qantas)

I think, if you are looking to raise your profile, Africa has more footballing potential than Australasia.

Cahill's Metatarsal · June 2, 2009

Moyes doesn't usually mess around with pre-season preperations, I can only assume he's happy with the arrangement so we'll have to trust that it's the right decision. The chances of me flying over there to watch are slim though

Goat · June 2, 2009

Andriy.EFC said:
Ghana? Oh yeah, I hear there's a big Premiership market there. This will certainly help us fight with the big boys on the global market.

....................... What the hell!??

Africa is huge in terms of The Prem, they are mad for it out there.

Namdrater · June 2, 2009

bluebloodinmyveins said:
There is a big market in Africa, but Ghana is a strange choice to play. South Africa or Nigeria would make a lot more sense.

You're actually 100% correct. I think a lot of people would struggle to believe it, but football is huge in Nigeria and probably even bigger in South Africa. And considering Pienaar, Yak, Yobo, Anichebe all play for Everton, it'd be brilliant exposure for the club to go to Nigeria or South Africa.