The Pharaohs of Egypt today sealed their qualification for the semi-finals of the 5th edition of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Mozambique 2022, after having beaten Uganda (direct competitor), by 6-2. In the other round, Egypt will play the final match against Morocco.

Egypt and Uganda entered this match tied with the same points (3) and only the victory for each team was important. An unfortunate move by the Ugandan goalkeeper gave Egypt an early lead, following an own goal by one of Uganda’s Sand Cranes defenders, who headed the ball into his own net.

In response, the Ugandans got the equaliser from a penalty kick by striker Baker Lokooya (1-1). Eager and anxious to settle the game early, the Egyptians managed to score two more goals in the second period through Moustafa Shaban and Hossam Hassan.

Contrary to previous matches, the Sand Cranes of Uganda did not show the same strength of spirit shown in previous matches. The Swiss Angelo Schirinzi’s men seemed to have become complacent. In the third period, Uganda again committed a slip of the tongue that cost them dearly.

Hossam Hassan put his team back in front 4-1. Unrelenting in their determination to seal their place in the semi-finals, the Pharaohs set their sights on the opposing goal in a beautifully contested move that culminated in a goal by Moutafa Shaaban (5-1) and, from the penalty spot, Ismaeel Abdelkodos extended the lead to 6-1. With a minute left in the third period, Nkuubi Brian reduced the lead to 2-6 in favour of Uganda.

Egypt are the only team to have been to all the CANs so far, but they have never won the competition or reached the final. Two times they came very close to being in the decisive encounter (2016 and 2018), but eventually fell and the best they managed was a bronze medal.

What they said

Moustafa Zeidan Lofty, Egypt coach

“We had to get the players back first and fortunately they responded positively. We came into this game knowing that we would face a tough opponent. We managed to control the game and nullify our opponent’s strengths. In the semi-finals we will play against an opponent we know very well. It will be an interesting match.

Angelo Schirinzi, Uganda coach

“Egypt was superior. We have only four players with a very high level, but they were not good today. The learning and lessons remain. I have worked for six weeks with this team and yet I give a positive assessment of our participation in this very well organised competition”