Hammamet, Tunisia – Former Bandari FC midfielder Wilberforce Lugogo displayed a stellar performance, scoring a hat-trick, as Kenya’s Harambee Sand Stars triumphed over Libya with an 11-8 victory, reigniting their hopes for a medal at the Africa Beach Games.
Lugogo, accompanied by his compatriot Lucky Mrabu, who scored an impressive five goals, showcased exceptional form on Wednesday evening. Their outstanding contributions allowed the Kenyan team to bounce back after a disappointing 5-3 loss to Tanzania earlier in the day.
With this win, Kenya now stands on the brink of securing a medal as they head into the final round of matches on Thursday.
In the evening, Kenya will face second-placed Morocco, and a victory, coupled with a loss for Tanzania against Libya, would secure the bronze medal for Kenya.
This is the opportunity that the Kenyan team is determined to seize as they prepare to battle the Atlas Sand Lions on the Mediterranean shores.
Captain Paul Kavula expressed the team’s determination to give their all in this crucial match, aiming for a podium finish.
“We anticipate a tough match because they are a highly experienced team, but we also have our own experience. We have grown and improved since our first game,” Kavula stated confidently.
Reflecting on the match against Libya, Kavula emphasized that a change in strategy played a pivotal role in their victory.
“After analyzing our performance in the first two matches, we noticed that we were being too defensive. So, we made adjustments by introducing more offensive players to achieve balance, and that strategy worked in our favor. We will employ the same approach against Morocco, hoping for a positive outcome,” he added.
From the outset, Kenya demonstrated their determination against Libya, knowing that defeat would shatter their medal prospects. Answar Shamuni and Lucky Mrabu displayed their intent early on, putting pressure on the Libyan goalkeeper and forcing him to make consecutive saves.
Once the goals started flowing, it became a procession, with Mrabu and Lugogo providing both goals and assists.
In an earlier match, Kenya suffered a 5-3 defeat against neighboring Tanzania. Despite goals from Mrabu, Lugogo, and Answar Shamuni, Kenya fell short in a game they could have won had they been more adventurous in their attacking approach.
The Harambee Sand Stars will now look to build on their recent success as they strive for victory against Morocco, determined to secure a well-deserved spot on the medal podium at the Africa Beach Games.
