Backed by their home crowd, Egypt on Monday secured their second straight victory at the 2024 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations.
The result confirmed their qualification for the knockout stages, reports Inas Mazhar.
The hosts easily sailed past Tanzania in a high scoring 9-3 match to top Group A. The heavy defeat eventually ended Tanzania’s hopes of qualifying to the next round as it followed their opening loss to Morocco on Saturday.
Egypt got off to a flying start in their opening game, overcoming Ghana 6-3 on the opening day of the continental edition.
Egypt finished runners-up in the last edition hosted in Mozambique.
The tournament kicked off earlier this week with eight teams drawn into two groups. Group A includes Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania and Ghana while Group B features Senegal, Mozambique, Malawi and Mauritania. This is the sixth edition of the tournament being held from 19-26 October in Hurghada.
Reigning champions Senegal secured their first win of the tournament after putting six past Malawi to earn a 6-1 win, which significantly boosts the defending champions’ ambitions of defending their title but will still have work to do in their remaining Group B match. Surprisingly, Senegal were stunned when debutants Mauritania shocked the African champions and tournament favourites with a strong start as the debutants won 5-2.
The last Group B match for Senegal will be up against Mozambique on Tuesday in what promises to be a hotly contested encounter between the two tournament favourites.
On Sunday, Mozambique concluded day two of the tournament with a closely contested victory over Malawi to secure the vital three points of their opening campaign. Last season’s hosts and 2021 silver-medallists are eager for a continental title.
On Monday, Morocco secured their second win of Group A. The North African nation, chasing a first ever finalist position and title, with their best finish being bronze in 2021 and 2022, easily brushed aside Ghana 5-2 to secure their second victory of the group. The second loss of the campaign saw Ghana languishing at the bottom of Group A.
With the consecutive victory, Morocco retrieves the top spot ahead of their final group match on Tuesday against Egypt.
On Tuesday, as Al-Ahram Weekly went to press, hosts Egypt were facing Morocco in a game that would decide who finishes top of Group A. Tanzania and Ghana will play for pride in their final match of the tournament when they meet on the same day.
In an exclusive interview with CAFonline, Egypt’s beach soccer coach Mustafa Lotfi expressed his team’s ambition to clinch their first-ever Africa beach soccer title.
Lotfi called on Egyptian fans to rally behind the team, emphasising that home support will be crucial as they seek redemption. He acknowledged the strength of Group A and noted that every team in the group was capable of reaching the final.
Nevertheless, he remained confident in Egypt’s preparations and their ability to rise to the challenge. When asked about the pressure of hosting the tournament, Lotfi admitted that playing on home soil brings added expectations but sees it as a motivating factor. He expressed optimism, stating that the team was “ready and focused” on converting the pressure into “confidence and determination”.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 October, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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