Malawi National Beach Soccer Team will be on the cast as the draw for the 2024 Caf Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals will be conducted in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.
The sixth edition of Caf Beach Soccer Afcon will be staged from October 19 to 26 in Hurghada, Egypt.
Eight teams, namely hosts Egypt, defending champions Senegal, Morocco, Tanzania, Mauritania, Mozambique and Malawi, qualified for this year’ edition.
According to a Caf statement, the eight teams will be divided into two groups of four.
“The tournament is expected to be another thrilling African beach soccer experience, with all eyes on reigning champions Senegal, as they aim for their fifth championship title,” the Caf statement reads.
The tournament will also serve as a qualifier for the 2025 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup to be staged in Seychelles.
Egypt will be hosting the competition for the second time after the 2018 edition held in Sharm El Sheikh.
Beach Soccer Association (BSA) General Secretary Wakisa Mwambetania said they were not scared of any team.
“We are one of the big teams in Africa. We are looking forward to the draw. We know most of the teams as they were in Vilankulo. So, the coach will study the opponents well so that when we travel we should compete and bring joy to Malawians,” Mwambetania said.
The team is expected to start preparations soon ahead of the tournament.
Malawi earned back-to-back beach soccer Afcon finals qualification after beating Burundi 15-14 in a two legged affair.
The team defeated Burundi 7-6 in Bujumbura but drew 8-8 at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima.
During the 2022 edition held in Vilankulo, Mozambique, Malawi lost all the three games to hosts Mozambique, Morocco and Uganda.
Sports analyst Sherry Msuku said the team should prepare well for the Afcon finals.
“It is a big stage but, with good preparations, we can do well,” he said.
Malawi won bronze during the 2024 Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship held in Durban, South Africa, in March this year.
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