Sand Stars not fazed by Ghana ‘Mission Impossible’

The Kenya national beach football team Harambee Sand Stars head coach Rajab Babu is not fazed by the ‘Mission Impossible’ facing his squad on Sunday when they play the return leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against hosts Ghana.

Kenya trails 10-3 after a damaging home thrashing to the experienced West Africans but Babu is optimistic his men will give their fancied opponents a run for their money after naming his travelling squad of 12 on Tuesday evening.

Sand Stars will however, miss the services of Ulinzi Stars duo Omar Mbongi and Hassan Mohammed in the clash to be played at the Accra’s Laboma Beach Soccer Arena as they seek to complete the unlikely turnaround to qualify for the final phase.

Ulinzi declined to release the pair for the national duty.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Babu expressed his frustration with the Kenya Premier League (KPL) side decision to hold the two calling it national team sabotage.

“It is very unfortunate that I could not get the two players who I know could have helped us a lot. In the first leg I observed Ghana players are tall and well built, so they had some physical advantage over us.

“Mbongi and Mohammed have those qualities so they would have boosted us, because they have played football in the beach before although it’s different the normal football,” told Babu.

He further revealed the two were called up through the federation early last week but Ulinzi was not willing to let them out until Wednesday, after their KPL clash with Gor Mahia.

“I can’t understand why they could not release even Mbongi who was out suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. I told them I don’t need the players that late because they won’t get time to train with the rest and adjust to beach football.”

Besides the two, Babu has only one injury concern, Salim Bundes who was released on Thursday morning with a thigh problem.

Responding to the matter, Fooball Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice president Doris Petra said she was not aware of the development hence she could not authoritatively comment on it.

Despite the setbacks, the coach is optimistic his charges can turn around the first round result and book a ticket to Nigeria for the December tournament.

“Tactically we were better than Ghana; we only lacked mental strength which I attribute to inexperience. They have been playing for a long time but we are in our building stages, but we can beat them at home because we know we are dealing with.

The team is set to jet out on Wednesday afternoon for Accra, accompanied by five officials including a representative from the Ministry of Sports.

Full squad: Musa Hamisi Mohammed, Mannasse Daiddo, Hassan Faid, Mohammed Said, Mbwana Farid, Mohammed Abdillahi, Patrick Kimani, Mudhafar Swaleh, Hamisi Chai Rajab, Alfred Akello Alouch, Hassan Madi and Dennis Lewa Mwangala.

Officials: Head coach : Rajab Babu; Assistant coach : Kinero Ali Swaleh; Team Doctor: Hassan Kheri; Physio : Victor Chiro; FKF team leader : Ronny Oyando; FKF NEC member: Katana Mwalungo.