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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 race concluded following the decisive second-leg fixtures played between October 16 and 18, with the seven successful teams emerging from a two-round qualification process organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Blueprint reports
Senegal secured automatic qualification as hosts and reigning champions, completing the eight-team lineup for the competition, which will also serve as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The tournament, initially scheduled for November 7 to 15, has been rescheduled to November 28 to December 6, 2026, following adjustments 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 seeking to extend its dominance while the other seven teams aim to challenge for the African title and secure a place at the global showpiece.
Morocco, Malawi impress in qualification campaign
Morocco and Malawi emerged among the most convincing sides during the qualifying series, recording comprehensive aggregate victories to book their places in Senegal.
Morocco defeated Libya 7-1 in the return leg on Sunday, October 18, 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 delivered an emphatic performance, with Amine El Bidouri and Badr El Kraichly each scoring a hat-trick, while Ayoub Hichou added another goal to complete the 7-1 victory.
The result secured Morocco’s return to the continental competition after finishing third at the 2024 edition in Egypt. Under Brazilian coach Marco Octavio, the North African side will hope to build on that performance and challenge for the title in Senegal.
Malawi also demonstrated its attacking strength, defeating Seychelles 10-1 in the return leg at Salima Livingstonia Beach to complete a commanding 16-3 aggregate victory.
The Beach Soccer Hustlers had won the first leg 6-2 away from home before delivering another dominant display on home soil.
Frank Mwenelupembe and captain Isaac Kajamu each scored hat-tricks in the second leg, while Dala Simba and Sandram Sadi also found the net. The comprehensive victory secured Malawi’s third consecutive appearance at the continental tournament.
The result underlined Malawi’s growing consistency in beach soccer, as the team now turns its attention to competing against the continent’s strongest sides in the final tournament.
Ghana eliminate Nigeria in West African contest
Ghana secured qualification after defeating Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles 7-4 in the return leg of their second-round tie at the Keta Emancipation Beach Soccer Arena on October 18.
The victory gave the Black Sharks a 10-7 aggregate triumph after the two countries had played out a 3-3 draw in the first leg in Kaduna.
The opening encounter had generated controversy after the match officials admitted an error in allowing extra time and a penalty shootout despite the match being level at the end of regulation time. The result was subsequently recorded as a 3-3 draw.
That left the qualification contest finely balanced ahead of the return fixture 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 major disappointment for the Super Sand Eagles, who had hoped to return to the competition and challenge for continental honours.
The defeat also raises questions about the preparation and development of Nigeria’s beach soccer team, particularly as the country seeks to regain its place among Africa’s leading sides in the discipline.
However, Ghana’s victory was decisive on aggregate, and the Black Sharks will now focus on preparing for the challenges awaiting them in Senegal.
Uganda return to continental competition
Uganda’s Sand Cranes also secured qualification after defeating Burundi 9-6 in the second leg of their encounter 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 apiece to complete the nine-goal tally.
The qualification marks Uganda’s return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2022 and represents the country’s third appearance at the tournament.
The Sand Cranes will now have an opportunity to test themselves against the continent’s established beach soccer nations and seek to improve their previous performances.
Their success also highlights the competitive nature of the qualification series, in which several teams had to withstand high-scoring contests to secure their places in the finals.
Angola, Mozambique and Mauritania complete lineup
Angola secured its place after progressing through a challenging qualification campaign that began in the first round against Mauritius.
The Palancas Negras defeated Mauritius 4-0 in the opening leg before recording a 6-3 victory in the return fixture to advance with a 10-3 aggregate score.
They subsequently faced Egypt in the second round, winning the first leg 4-2 before completing the tie successfully to qualify for the finals.
Mozambique also booked its place after overcoming Tanzania in their two-legged encounter.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Dar es Salaam, with Ramossete Cumbe scoring for Mozambique to level the contest after Tanzania had taken the lead.
The return fixture in Maputo provided Mozambique with the opportunity to settle the tie at home, and the team secured qualification to join the other successful nations in Senegal.
Mauritania completed the list of qualifiers after defeating Côte d’Ivoire 7-4 in the decisive second leg in Nouakchott.
The Mourabitounes had lost the first leg 3-2, leaving them needing a strong response at home. They delivered the required performance to overturn the deficit and secure their place in the continental tournament.
The qualification of Angola, Mozambique and Mauritania adds further regional diversity to the final lineup, with teams from Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern Africa represented.
Senegal face challenge to retain 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 side in the discipline, combining experience and consistency to dominate the continental championship in recent years.
Playing on home sand will provide Senegal with an opportunity to defend their title in front of their supporters, although the other qualified teams will arrive determined to challenge their supremacy.
Morocco’s strong qualification campaign, Malawi’s attacking form and Ghana’s elimination of Nigeria suggest that Senegal could face a competitive field in the race for the trophy.
The tournament will also carry significant importance beyond continental honours, as the two finalists will earn qualification for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
That incentive raises the stakes for all eight participating nations, with each side seeking not only to win the African title but also to earn a place on the global stage.
With qualification now complete, attention will shift to preparations, squad selection and the eventual group-stage draw as the eight nations begin their final push towards the championship in Senegal.
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