Harambee Sand Stars out of AFCON beach soccer 2017

Kenya national beach soccer team, the Harambee Sand Stars, were eliminated from the qualifier of the Africa Cup of Nations Beach Soccer (AFCON) after a 7-1 defeat in the return leg match played Sunday, September 18 at the Laboma Beach Soccer Arena in Accra, Ghana.

The match was a 1-1 stalemate at first half but the hosts used their vast experience to overcome the visitors.

Kenya lone goal was scored by Mady Hassan.

With the results, Ghana Black Sharks qualify for this years edition of the 8 team AFCON beach soccer championship scheduled for  Lagos, Nigeria in December following a 4-17 aggregate victory over Kenya.

During the  first leg match played at Jomo Kenyatta (Pirates) beach in Mombasa on August 27, Harambee Sand Stars suffered a humiliating 3-10 score.

Besides Ghana, other teams that have already qualified for Lagos 2016 AFCON include Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Madagascar, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

The Lagos 2016 AFCON will serve as a qualifier for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas.

Brazilian trained Kenyan head coach Iddi Rajad Babu says experience was the difference in the two legged tie.

“We worked hard and players are focused to do better than the first leg match but our host have vast experience. However there were some few normal challenges like unavailability of training venues, transport delays but this kind of treatment is always their when playing away,” said Babu.

Coach Iddi Rajad Babu made one change in the squad that faced Ghana Black Sharks with goalkeeper Rajab Chai starting between the posts with Mohammed Hamisi on the bench.

Chai was guarded by the defence marshaled by Mady Hassan and Farid Mbwana.

Fahad Nassir and Abdillahi Mohammed were leading the striking force.

The match kicks off  at 6:00pm (Kenya Time) at Laboma Beach Soccer Arena in Accra.

Kenya Sand Stars Starting V: Rajab Chai(GK), Mady Hassan, Farid Mbwana, Fahad Nassir,Abdillahi Mohammed.

Reserves: Mohammed Hamisi(GK), Mohammed Said, Alfred Oluoch, Mudhafar’Mesi”Swaleh, Dennis’’ YoriYori Lewa.

Technical bench: Rajabu Babu (coach), Kinero Swaleh (assistant coach), Jay Abdi (conditioning trainer), Ben Mbela (logistic manager), Rooney Oyando (team leader) and Festus (nutritionist)

GHANA LINE UP: Danniel Goka Kwame, Harold Acquaye, Reuben Semebia Larli, Aziz Kofi, and Innocent Kodwo Kumensah.

SUBS: Alfred Kwame, Hussein Mohammed, Michael Sema , Alexander Adjei , Gideon Adjei, Alfred Torsu, Michael Adjei Anum and Richard Osah.