Missed the podium

Inas Mazhar , Tuesday 29 Oct 2024

Despite being held at home, Egypt failed to qualify for the FIFA World Beach Soccer Cup, reports Inas Mazhar

Missed the podium
Egypt vs Morocco

 

 

Reigning champions Senegal confirmed their supremacy in Africa by clinching the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations title in Hurghada, Egypt, with an unequivocal 6-1 victory over Mauritania in the final.

The win not only secured Senegal’s place as Africa’s top beach soccer team but also grants them another ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Senegal has won five of the last six Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Egypt lost a berth in next year’s beach soccer World Cup by losing to Morocco who clinched a 4-3 win over the hosts in the semi-final, thus failing to show up on the podium. Despite starting off slow as compared to the hosts who took the lead, the Moroccans cruised in to secure a podium finish for the bronze medal. However, the Atlas Lions’ third place finish does not secure a slot for the World Cup. Only the two top teams qualify.

By reaching the final, both Senegal and Mauritania automatically booked their berths in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in May 2025 where they will form part of the three African representatives alongside hosts Seychelles.

The Senegalese showcased their superior skill and experience, adding yet another tribute to their impressive record in the sport while, despite the Mauritanians strong-willed fight, they failed to cope with the attacking strength of the defending champions. Senegal’s vigorous defence created a gap in the scoreline, solidifying their continental supremacy.

According to the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), President Patrice Motsepe was happy with the development and growth of beach soccer in all 54 CAF member associations.   

Speaking at the final in Hurghada, Motsepe said it was important to encourage more African countries to play regular and competitive beach soccer in order to ensure that African beach soccer is globally competitive.

Motsepe also gave credit to hosts Egypt who finished fourth in the tournament after losing to Morocco in the third and fourth play-off.

“On behalf of the 54 member associations of CAF, I express my gratitude to Egypt for hosting a very successful CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2024. I congratulate Senegal for winning the competition and also Mauritania for reaching the final on their first attempt. I wish Senegal and Mauritania all of the very best as they will be representing Africa in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025,” Motsepe said.

However, the Egyptians did not leave the tournament empty-handed thanks to their superb goalkeeper Mohamed Ahmed who earned the Best Goalkeeper Award.

Other awards included Player of the Tournament Ninou Diatta (Senegal), top scorer Alexander Adjetey (Ghana) with 11 goals, and Best Player of the Final Al Seyni Ndiaye (Senegal).

* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 October, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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