Egypt aiming for first Beach Soccer AFCON title on home soil
Egypt’s beach soccer team is determined to secure its first-ever title in the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, as the sixth edition of the tournament kicks off in Hurghada, Egypt, from October 19 to 26, 2024.
With home advantage and strong local support, the Pharaohs are eager to make history by winning the championship on their own soil.
After narrowly missing out on the title in the last edition, where they were defeated by Senegal in the final via penalties, Egypt will be looking to redeem themselves this time around.
Led by head coach Mustafa Lotfy, the team has been building up to this moment with confidence and high expectations.
Team Profile:
- Nickname: The Pharaohs
- Head Coach: Mustafa Lotfy
- Captain: Mustafa Ahmed Shika
Coach Mustafa Lotfy: Mustafa Lotfy, a former footballer who represented Egypt in the 1996 FIFA Futsal World Cup, took charge of the national beach soccer team two years ago. Under his guidance, the team has achieved significant milestones, including their historic qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Although Egypt lost to Senegal in the final of the last AFCON, Lotfy's leadership has seen the team triumph in the Arab Cup and Casablanca Championship. His dedication and tactical acumen earned him a spot among the top 20 beach soccer coaches globally, as recognized by the World Beach Soccer Organization.
Key Player: Hossam Salama (Paulo): Hossam Salama, popularly known as "Paulo," is one of the standout players on the Egyptian squad. A former top scorer in the Egyptian Premier League with Zamalek, Paulo transitioned to beach soccer, where he has continued to shine. Notably, he became the first Egyptian player to score a hat-trick in the Beach Soccer World Cup. With his goal-scoring prowess, Paulo is expected to be a crucial figure for Egypt in their quest for the continental crown.
Achievements: Despite not having won the Beach Soccer AFCON title, Egypt boasts an impressive record in regional and continental competitions:
- 2023 Arab Cup Champions
- 2022 AFCON Runners-up
- 2022 Casablanca Championship Winners
- 2022 COSAFA Championship Runners-up
- Third place in AFCON editions: 2016, 2018, 2011, 2006
- Fourth place in the 2015 Intercontinental Cup
- Qualified for the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
Egypt’s Fixtures in Beach Soccer AFCON:
- Egypt vs. Ghana - Saturday, October 19
- Egypt vs. Tanzania - Monday, October 21
- Egypt vs. Morocco - Tuesday, October 22
With a solid team, a seasoned coach, and enthusiastic home fans, Egypt is poised to make a strong run for the title, aiming to lift their first Beach Soccer AFCON trophy in front of their supporters.