By McGeorge Mbare
The Beach Soccer African Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) is set to commence on October 19 and will run until October 26 in Egypt.
The previous BSAFCON tournament in 2022, held in Mozambique, was filled with surprises and mesmerizing performances. Egypt, famously known as the Pharaohs, finished as runners-up to Senegal and will be eager to improve their standing on home turf.
For the Pharaohs, playing in front of their home crowd will be a crucial advantage. The team has reached the finals more than three times but has yet to secure a title, making this tournament particularly significant for them.
The opening match of BSAFCON 2024 will feature Morocco going up against Tanzania, followed by the host nation Egypt taking on Ghana on October 19. Both matches will be part of Group A. On October 20, Senegal and Mauritania will clash in their first match of Group B.
BSAFCON has become an exciting spectacle in African football, with Senegal boasting a record of seven titles, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
After a stunning upset in 2015 against Madagascar, known as Berea, the Lions of Teranga proved that it was merely an accident, claiming the title four consecutive times in 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022.
The championship promises to be fiercely competitive, with the Lions of Teranga aiming to defend their title while other nations strive for the chance to be crowned champions. Fans can expect maximum effort from all teams as they compete for glory on the sandy shores of Egypt.