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Eight nations have secured their places at the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON), with Morocco, Malawi, Ghana, Uganda, Angola, Mozambique and Mauritania qualifying to join defending champions Senegal at the continental tournament.
The qualification run concluded after crucial return matches played between 16 and 18 October, with the seven winning teams emerging from a two-round qualification process organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Project reports
Senegal secured automatic qualification as hosts and defending champions, completing the eight-team line-up for the competition, which will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The tournament, initially scheduled for November 7-15, has been rescheduled from November 28 to December 6, 2026, following changes to Senegal’s sporting calendar, which includes the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The final tournament will bring together some of the continent’s leading beach soccer nations, with Senegal looking to extend their dominance while the other seven teams will aim to challenge for the African title and secure a place in the world competition.
Morocco and Malawi impress in qualifying campaign
Morocco and Malawi emerged among the most convincing teams during the qualifying series, recording numerous overall victories and clinching a place in Senegal.
Morocco defeated Libya 7-1 in the return leg on Sunday 18 October, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, completing an 11-3 aggregate victory after winning the first leg 4-2 in Benghazi.
The Atlas Lions put in an emphatic performance, with Amine El Bidouri and Badr El Kraichly scoring a hat-trick each, while Ayoub Hichou added another goal to complete the 7-1 victory.
The result ensured Morocco’s return to the continental competition after finishing third in the 2024 edition in Egypt. Under Brazilian coach Marco Octavio, the North African team hopes to build on that performance and challenge for the title in Senegal.
Malawi also demonstrated their attacking strength, beating Seychelles 10-1 in the return leg at Salima Livingstonia Beach to complete an impressive 16-3 aggregate victory.
The Beach Soccer Hustlers had won the first leg 6-2 away from home before producing another dominant performance at home.
Frank Mwenelupembe and captain Isaac Kajamu each scored a hat-trick in the return leg, while Dala Simba and Sandram Sadi also scored. The comprehensive victory secured Malawi’s third consecutive appearance at the continental tournament.
The result underlined Malawi’s growing consistency in beach football, as the team now turns its attention to competing against the continent’s strongest teams in the final stage of the tournament.
Ghana eliminates Nigeria in the West African competition
Ghana secured qualification after defeating Super Sand Eagles of Nigeria 7–4 in the second round second leg at the Keta Emancipation Beach Soccer Arena on 18 October.
The victory gave the Black Sharks a 10–7 aggregate triumph after the two countries had drawn 3–3 in the first leg in Kaduna.
The opening match had generated controversy after the referees admitted an error in awarding extra time and penalties despite the match being a draw at the end of normal time. The result was later recorded as a 3–3 draw.
This left the qualifying match well balanced ahead of the return match in Ghana, where the hosts produced a decisive performance to secure their place in the finals.
Ghana’s qualification represents another important step for the Black Sharks, who will make their second consecutive appearance at the continental championship.
Nigeria’s elimination, meanwhile, is a huge disappointment for the Super Sand Eagles, who had hoped to return to the competition and challenge for continental success.
The defeat also raises questions about the preparation and development of Nigeria’s beach football team, particularly as the country seeks to regain its place among Africa’s leading teams in the discipline.
However, Ghana’s victory was decisive overall, and the Black Sharks will now focus on preparing for the challenges that await them in Senegal.
Uganda returns to continental competition
Uganda’s Sand Cranes also secured qualification after defeating Burundi 9-6 in the second leg of their match at Bunjako Beach on Sunday.
The victory gave Uganda a 13-10 aggregate triumph after the two teams had shared an entertaining 4-4 draw in the first leg in Bujumbura.
Baker Lukoya led the Ugandan attack with a hat-trick, while Edweu Godfrey and Joshua Letti Lubwama scored twice each. Ambrose Kigozi and Brian Nkuubi added a goal each to complete the nine-goal tally.
The qualification marks Uganda’s return to the continental championship for the first time since 2022 and represents the country’s third appearance at the tournament.
The Sand Cranes will now have the opportunity to test themselves against the continent’s most established beach soccer nations and look to improve on their previous performances.
Their success also highlights the competitive nature of the qualifying series, where several teams had to withstand high-scoring contests to secure a place in the finals.
Angola, Mozambique and Mauritania complete the lineup
Angola secured their place after overcoming a challenging qualifying campaign that began in the first round against Mauritius.
Palancas Negras defeated Mauritius 4-0 in the first leg before recording a 6-3 victory in the return leg and advancing with an aggregate score of 10-3.
They subsequently faced Egypt in the second round, winning the first leg 4–2 before successfully completing the tie and qualifying for the final tournament.
Mozambique also booked their place after overcoming Tanzania in their two-legged match.
The first leg ended in a 1–1 draw in Dar es Salaam, with Ramossete Cumbe scoring for Mozambique to equalize the match after Tanzania had taken the lead.
The return match in Maputo provided Mozambique with the opportunity to settle the tie at home and the team qualified to join the other winning nations in Senegal.
Mauritania completed their qualifying list after beating Ivory Coast 7-4 in the decisive return match in Nouakchott.
The Mourabitounes had lost the first leg 3-2, and needed a strong response at home. They delivered the performance needed to overturn the deficit and secure a place in the continental tournament.
The qualification of Angola, Mozambique and Mauritania adds further regional diversity to the final lineup, with teams represented from Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern Africa.
Senegal faces a challenge to retain its crown
Hosts Senegal will enter the tournament as the team to beat, having won the last five editions of the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, including the 2024 competition in Egypt.
The Teranga Lions have established themselves as Africa’s most successful team in the discipline, combining experience and consistency to dominate the continental championship in recent years.
Playing at home will give Senegal the opportunity to defend their title in front of their fans, even if the other qualified teams arrive determined to challenge their supremacy.
Morocco’s strong qualifying campaign, Malawi’s attacking form and Ghana’s elimination of Nigeria suggest Senegal could face a competitive field in the race for the trophy.
The tournament will have significant importance even beyond the continental accolades, as the two finalists will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
This incentive raises the stakes for all eight participating nations, with each team looking to not only win the African title but also earn a place on the global stage.
With qualification now complete, attention will turn to preparation, team selection and the eventual group stage draw as the eight nations begin their final push towards the championship in Senegal.
