Kings Kangwa Reflects on His Impactful Tenure at Hapoel Be'er Sheva Before Moving to Panathinaikos

Kings Kangwa, who spent two successful years in Israeli football, recently concluded his time at Hapoel Be'er Sheva and officially signed with Greek club Panathinaikos. In an exclusive interview with Sport 5 on August 2, 2026, Kangwa reflected on his career in Israel, highlighting his role in leading Be'er Sheva to their first championship in years and securing a European competition spot.

Kangwa expressed mixed emotions about leaving Be'er Sheva, acknowledging the club's owner Alona Barkat's efforts to retain him but emphasizing his readiness to advance his career. He described his time in Be'er Sheva as transformative, crediting the coaches, teammates, and the city for their significant influence. Among his most memorable moments was winning the championship with the club.

He also touched on his relationship with coach Ran Koozuch, stating that although his departure was difficult, it was understood as the right step forward. Kangwa revealed that he initially was set to join AEK Athens but ultimately chose Panathinaikos due to the club's promising project. He also addressed past social media reactions, including a lighthearted response to not being named player of the year in 2025.

Regarding his experience in Israel, Kangwa said he will miss the people and the atmosphere, appreciating the warm reception he received. He admitted that the security situation in Israel influenced his decision to leave. Notably, Kangwa shared that he enjoyed playing against Maccabi Tel Aviv the most, partly because the club had initially rejected him before he joined Be'er Sheva, which motivated him to perform at his best against them.

He also mentioned his friendship with teammate Guy Mizrahi and recalled positive memories with coach Koozuch, who believed in him. Kangwa concluded by acknowledging the respect he received from rival fans and the unique challenges and joys of his Israeli football journey.