Kings Kangwa Bids Farewell to Hapoel Be'er Sheva After Impactful Two Years

Kings Kangwa, a talented midfielder from Africa, is playing his final match for Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Wednesday night against Vikingur in Sombathely, Hungary, where the Israeli club hosts its home games. Kangwa's journey is described as legendary: arriving in Israel as a young player to develop, he left for Europe but returned to lead Be'er Sheva through two dream seasons, significantly influencing the club's success.

During Barak Bachar's championship era, Kangwa stood out among many key players like Tony Wakama, Eliniv Bereda, and John Ogu. Fans voted him the sole representative from the last two seasons under coach Ran Kozuch in a top ten all-time players poll. He helped secure a league title and a cup, and supporters also credit him for the disputed championship season marred by the incident against Bnei Sakhnin.

The club and fans are deeply saddened by his departure, fearing it could jeopardize the upcoming season's ambitions, especially amid uncertainty about Dan Biton's future. Teammates praise Kangwa's ability to inspire never giving up on the pitch and his game-changing skills. Despite not being perfect, he ranks among the best foreign players in Israeli football history.

Kangwa's professionalism was evident even after signing with Greek club Panathinaikos, as he played the first leg against Vikingur without demanding special treatment. His strong bond with coach Kozuch helped maintain respect and focus on the club's interests. Fan Amir Ben David called Kangwa a "once-in-a-lifetime" player, highlighting his complete skill set and clutch performances against top Israeli teams.

The club acknowledges that replacing Kangwa will require collective effort, as his departure leaves a significant void. His farewell marks the end of a remarkable chapter for Hapoel Be'er Sheva and its supporters.