Sand Stars take on Ghana in qualifier

Ruben Semana (centre) of Ghana Beach Football team attempts to make his way through Farid Mbwana (left) and Abdulswamad Abdallah (right) of Kenya Harambee Stars Sand Beach Football club during their African Cup Beach Football Qualifier against at the Pirates open beach in Mombasa, August 27, 2016. Hosts Kenya were beaten 10-0. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

National beach football team, (The Sand Stars) take on Ghana’s Black Sharks this afternoon in the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations Beach Soccer Qualifier in Accra.

The Kenyan team landed safely in Accra on Wednesday ahead of today’s match, which starts at 6pm Kenyan time.

In an interview from Accra, Football Kenya Federation Coast Nec member Raphael Mwalungo who is with the team as head of delegation said the team has been training under coach Rajab Babu.

“The team has been beefed up with experienced players. The stakes are high and we are capable of beating our opponents,” Mwalung said.

He said they were accorded cordial welcome by their hosts and the team was focused for the match.

“We were received by Ghana FA officials and headed to our residing camp at Oceanic Resort Hotel in Accra,” said the official who is also the FKF Beach Soccer Committee Chairman.

Kenya lost 3-10 to Ghana during the first leg match played at Pirates, Mombasa on August 27 and must win the match with an 8-0 margin to advance to the next round.