The 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations has lived up to expectations, delivering high-octane beach soccer action.
By Tuka Letura
The 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) is currently underway in the stunning coastal city of Hurghada, Egypt, running from 19 to 26 October. This highly anticipated event marks the sixth edition of Africa’s premier beach soccer tournament, officially sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The tournament brings together the continent’s finest beach soccer teams, each competing for the chance to claim victory on the sand and carve their names into African sports history.
As always, the stakes are exceptionally high, but this year they are even higher, as the tournament also serves as a qualifying event for the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, set to take place in Seychelles. Only the top two teams will secure their places alongside the host nation of the World Cup.
Tournament Overview
Eight teams qualified for this year’s 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, with Egypt automatically qualifying as the host nation. Among the top contenders is Senegal, the reigning champion and dominant force in African beach soccer, having won the tournament a record seven times.
Morocco, Mozambique, and Ghana, all regular participants, are also looking to make their mark and challenge for the title. Malawi and Tanzania, relatively new to the competition, are eager to establish themselves as serious contenders. Mauritania’s qualification for the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations is particularly significant, as it marks the country’s debut on the continental beach soccer stage, offering a unique opportunity to showcase their talent on both the African and global scenes.
For teams like Mauritania and Malawi, this tournament provides an opportunity to display their development in beach soccer and prove they can compete at a higher level.
Group Stages
The eight teams are divided into two groups of four. Group A includes Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, and Tanzania, while Group B features Mauritania, Senegal, Mozambique, and Malawi. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which also serves as the semi-finals.
The third-placed teams in each group will face off to determine the 5th and 6th positions. The two finalists will not only compete for the title but will also secure automatic qualification for the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Group A
The host nation, Egypt, delivered a commanding performance in the group stage, securing victories over Ghana, Tanzania, and Morocco to claim all nine points and advance to the knockout rounds. Four different players scored at least three goals each during the group stages, more than any other side in the competition so far.
Despite their defeat to Egypt, Morocco bounced back with strong performances, defeating both Ghana and Tanzania to finish second in the group. Ghana, on the other hand, managed just one win, over Tanzania, but lost their other two matches, leaving them in third place. Tanzania, struggling throughout the tournament, finished at the bottom of the table without earning a point in any of their three games, conceding 23 goals—the worst in the tournament.
Group B
In Group B, the competition was more balanced, with none of the four teams managing to secure the maximum nine points. Mauritania ultimately topped the group on goal difference, finishing level on points with reigning champions Senegal.
Mauritania kicked off their campaign with a significant win against Senegal but lost momentum in the next match, losing on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Mozambique. However, they responded perfectly in their final group-stage match, crushing Mozambique 11-6. Belkheir was the standout player in that game, netting an incredible five goals to secure Mauritania’s place at the top of the group.
Senegal made a strong comeback in their final two group-stage matches of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, securing a 6-1 victory over Malawi and a 6-3 win against Mozambique, earning them second place. Mozambique claimed third place despite two losses, thanks to their thrilling 4-3 win over Malawi on the opening day.
Knockout Stage
Both semi-final matches are set for the 24th of October. In the biggest clash, reigning champions Egypt will face hosts Senegal. The other semi-final will see Mauritania take on Morocco. The winners of these matches will not only advance to the final for a chance to become the champions of this edition’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations.
There will also be a third-place playoff between the losers of the semi-finals. Before the semi-finals kick off, Ghana and Mozambique, the two teams that finished third in their respective groups, will compete in a fifth-place playoff.
Path to the World Cup
With Seychelles automatically qualifying as the host nation for the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, only two spots remain for African teams. The two finalists will automatically qualify for the World Cup and join hosts Seychelles as Africa’s representatives.
The final of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, set for 26 October, will crown the 2024 Africa Beach Soccer champion and set the tone for African representation at the World Cup.
All Games are streaming live on the Official YouTube Channel of CAF TV here:
The 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations has lived up to expectations, delivering high-octane beach soccer action. With the knockout stages underway, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, and Mauritania will battle it out for continental supremacy and a place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. As the tournament continues, so does the entertainment and competition.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over five years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.