Ahead of the kick-off of the 2022 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations on Friday, Afrosport takes a look at the profile of the countries that will feature in the tournament in Mozambique.
Seven countries including the hosts are in the city of Vilankulo to battle for glory after Nigeria pulled out of the competition.
MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique will be making their second appearance in the continental Beach Soccer tournament after an impressive debut outing in Senegal last year.
They finished as runners-up in their first appearance after losing 4-1 to Senegal in last year’s final.
They also played at the 2021 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia but did not make it beyond the first stage.
EGYPT
The Pharaohs are yet to win the competition in their history having settled for bronze at the 2011, 2016 and 2018 editions.
Egypt secured a ticket to Mozambique after seeing off Ghana in the qualifiers with a 12-11 aggregate win.
They have played in every edition of the competition and they hosted the 2018 edition on home soil.
MALAWI
Malawi will be making their debut appearance in the Beach Soccer AFCON in Mozambique.
The Flames saw off Tanzania in the qualifying stage and they will be aiming to make a statement among the bigwigs.
They are locked in Group A with Morocco and Mozambique.
MOROCCO
Morocco have hosted the competition on two occasions and their best finish so far is third place in the 2013 and 2021 editions.
The Atlas Lions head to the city of Vilankulo in high spirits after holding several training camps at home and abroad.
UGANDA
The Sand Cranes will have their sights on a medal after narrowly missing out on the podium last year, with a defeat to Morocco in the third-place game.
They will also be making their second appearance at the Beach Soccer AFCON after they triumphed over Comoros in the qualifying stage.
MADAGASCAR
They won the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations for the first time in 2015 in Seychelles and they will be hoping to make their mark in Mozambique after missing last year’s competition in Senegal.
The Berea are in Group B with Senegal, Uganda and Egypt.
SENEGAL
The Teranga Lions are the most successful team at the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations with six titles in their cabinet.
They hosted the 2021 edition in Saly and they did not disappoint to command their dominance by winning it.
Senegal sailed into Mozambique with a dominant 16-4 aggregate victory over Cameroon in the qualifying round. They registered their best outing at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup last year when they came fourth in Russia.
