Senegal crowned beach soccer Afcon champions
Senegal win beach soccer Afcon trophy
JOHANNESBURG, May 31 (ANA) – Hosts Senegal beat Mozambique 4-1 to retain its beach soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title, in Saly, over the weekend.
The Beach Teranga Lions – as Senegal are known – defeated Mozambique 4-1 to win their third successive title in the event after victories in 2016 and 2018.
A brace from Raoul Mendy guided Senegal to the win, as they celebrated victory in front of their fans, with Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe among the spectators.
Raoul Mendy opened the scoring for the hosts, but Mozambique equalised through Ramosette Cumbe.
Senegal reclaimed the lead in the second period through Ninou Diatta, before Pope Boye made it 3-1. Raoul Mendy completed his brace scoring for the Lions.
Despite losing the title, debutants Mozambique would celebrate reaching the final in their first-ever Beach Soccer Afcon. Making the final meant Mozambique secured one of the two tickets on offer for a place in the Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia in August.
Following the match, Motsepe awarded the medals and cup, accompanied by Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) general secretary Fatma Samoura, Senegal Minister of Sports and president of the Local Organising Committee Oumar Gueye, president of the FSF (Fédération Sénégalaise de Football) and Caf vice-president Augustin Senghor, and Senegalese football legend Elhadji Diouf.
Senegal captain Al Seyni and goalkeeper received the cup and was also voted the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Mozambique’s Nelson Manuel was named the tournament’s best player, in addition to the top scorer trophy on 10 goals.
Morocco won the bronze medals, after beating Uganda 5-3 in the third-place playoff earlier in the day.
The final ceremony also witnessed handing Mozambique, host of the next edition of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, the Caf flag that was received by Feizal Sidat, president of the Mozambican Football Federation. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman