Africa is a place of football talent - Da Costa de Souza
Head coach of the Moroccan Beach Soccer Gilberto Da Costa de Souza is confident of a good showing by his team in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Beach Soccer Egypt 2024.
Africa’s best beach soccer national teams will take each other on between 19 – 26 October in Hurghada, Egypt where they will be attempting to not only lift the title but secure a place at next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held on African shores for the first time when Seychelles plays host.
The Brazilian international, who is also a world champion spoke to CAFOnline about his time with the Moroccan national team as well as the team’s wishes for the tournament.
Morocco are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, Tanzania and Ghana.
The North Africans are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, Tanzania and Ghana.
How have your preparations been for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations?
We have prepared extensively for this competition. We have the full support of our Football Federation, which supports us in a very professional manner. For example, we played against the United Arab Emirates, a top 10 national team in the world, and Mauritania, a rising national team in Africa. With such preparation and a lot of hard work, we believe we can do well at the tournament
Morocco finished third in the last three editions; with your experience, how do you see yourself helping the team perform even better?
We work step by step. Our entire team is committed to giving our best in each and every match. Our focus today is on the first match, against the respectable Tanzanian team. Once that is done, we move on to the next match and take each one as it comes till we get to the best possible finish.
What are Morocco's chances in a Group A consisting of hosts Egypt, Tanzania and Ghana?
It is a very balanced group. I believe that Egypt will have the advantage since they are obviously the hosts. They also have very good players and have gained experience over the years. Tanzania, Ghana and we will definitely fight for a place in the knockout stages, and it will not be easy I must say.
What is your impression of Beach soccer in Africa?
Africa is a place of football talent, and beach soccer is no exception. There are many talented players with potential. As with everything in life, more investment will be needed to continue developing. Countries need to invest in national leagues, coaching courses, exchange programs and more competitions. Today, there are more African countries that can achieve good results in the world, as Nigeria and Senegal have already achieved.
This is your first AFCON as a coach, what would define a successful tournament for your personally?
These have been interesting months. I have already adapted to Moroccan life, and everyone has helped me a lot. I am very grateful to the Federation, to all the players and to my coaching staff. Of course, I miss my family and my daughter. But that is our job. I have adopted some mentors, people with more experience, who have taught me a lot about Moroccan culture, life and traditions. Mr. Hicham, three-time African futsal champion, former defender Naybet, now coach of the under-19 team, and former football player and pioneer of Moroccan beach soccer, Mr. Moustafa, are people who always help me. I need to travel more around Africa and learn more about the continent. If we talk about a little history, Brazil has many African roots in its culture.
As a champion with the Brazil national team, how can this be translated to the Moroccan national team?
Not only can my previous results help me, but also all the experience I have acquired since 2000 in Brazil and around the world. I worked as a fitness trainer with great coaches, and then I became a coach. During all this time, I have worked with incredible players. In addition, I want to pass on all this experience in my daily life, in my day-to-day work. I want to pass on the mindset that we need to work with passion for what we do and always give our best every day, at every moment. If I can teach them something, I will be very happy, because I will be giving back everything I have learned from the Moroccan people over the last 6 months.
What's your message to the Moroccan supporters in this CAF Beach Soccer AFCON?
My message to the Moroccan people is to believe in this team. They are great men, they are honourable, and they will give their best in every match. They have a lot of love and are very grateful for the chance to represent Morocco in a beach soccer competition. They are prepared to put on a great competition.