Senegal silenced Albatross Stadium to pip Egypt to a place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025™.
The Lions of Teranga, who finished fourth at the global finals in 2021, began the CAF Beach Soccer AFCON as the overwhelming favourites. They had, after all, won its previous four editions and seven of 11 overall.
After being victims of a huge upset against Mauritania in their opener, they beat Malawi and Mozambique to go through as Group B runners-up and set up a showdown with on-fire Egypt for a trip to the Seychelles in May. The Pharaohs impressed at their first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in February, and claimed nine points from a possible nine to reach these AFCON semi-finals.
Mandione Diagne pounced on a loose ball to put Senegal ahead, before Ninou Diatta volleyed them into a two-goal lead and celebrated acrobatically. Hossam Paulo pulled one back from the penalty spot, but it wasn’t enough for Egypt.
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“Thank God we’ve qualified for the Seychelles and the first World Cup to be played in Africa. We’re so proud and happy to be there. It wasn’t easy, as we lost our first match to Mauritania. Today we had to have a good mental attitude to avoid doubt. We were up against Egypt, the host country of this AFCON, supported by their public. The same Egypt we beat in the last final came set on revenge, so the match was very close. It finished 2-1, which is rare in beach soccer.”
Al Seyni Ndiaye, Senegal goalkeeper
