Babu to beef up squad ahead of Ghana trip

Farid Mbwana (right) of Kenya Harambee Stars Sand Beach Football club attempts to make his way through Ghana Beach Football team players 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].

Harambee Sand Stars head coach Rajab Babu said he will undoubtedly beef up his squad ahead of their return match of the Africa Cup beach qualifier against Ghana’s Black Sharks on September 17 in Accra.

In an interview with FevePitch yesterday in Mombasa, Babu hinted that he would make several changes to avoid gambling in the return match, which Kenya must win with a gap of more than eight goals after losing 10-3 in the first leg match at Pirates beach in Mombasa last Saturday.

“I will strengthen the team immediately we regroup for residential training,” said Babu. The team is expected to resume training at the weekend.

At the same time, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has assured the team that they will honour the return despite losing at home.

Federation President Nick Mwendwa said the Kenyan boys need more exposure to beach football, which he said was facing teething problems.

“We shall honour our return match on September 17 in Accra and the team will continue training for the match,” assured Mwendwa in a post-match interview at Pirates beach, Mombasa.

Ghana convincingly beat Kenya away from home and they are looking forward to another win at home to automatically qualify for the continental championships in Nigeria.