Defending champions Senegal thumped Kenya’s Harambee Sand Stars 12-1 in their opening match at the second edition of the Africa Beach Games in Tunisia on Tuesday evening.
Mamour Diagne starred with a well worked hat trick as Team Senegal dominated over the Harambee Sand stars showcasing their skills and vast experience in the sport.
Stars coach Ali Kinero admitted his players suffered stage fright and this led to their humiliation, but has promised they will regroup, adapt and shift focus ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
“We have a very young squad and probably the stage fright of playing a big team got into them. We played with a bit of fear and restraint. But we have learnt and we take it in our stride to do better in the next match,” the coach said.
Skipper Farid Bwana, who scored Kenya’s solo goal admitted as much, but has vowed the team will do their best against to keep their chances of making it to the semis alive.
“It was a tough game today because we played against a very experienced team who are the African champions. We have to give them respect because they have been in this game for longer than us and they have played at the biggest stages,” said Bwana.