Vilankulo bright and radiant for the start of the festivities 

The tourist town of Vilankulo was today declared the capital of sand sports, with the inauguration of the Vilankulo Sports Complex, built in a former kindergarten in the town.

The President of the Republic of Mozambique, H.E. Filipe Nyusi, kicked off the 5th edition of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Mozambique 2022. The tournament features seven (7) countries, namely Mozambique, Malawi, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Madagascar and Uganda.

The opening ceremony held prior to the first match included several cultural activities including the official inauguration of the Vilankulo Arena, built for the continental competition.

President Nyusi began by unveiling the inaugural plaque of the facility and delivered the opening speech at a ceremony attended by the CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, among other guests.

"I hereby declare the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Vilankulo 2022 officially open. May this event be a unifying factor and may the best team win, and above all, may Africa win," said the President of the Republic of Mozambique.

CAF Secretary General praised and thanked Mozambique's organisational capacity.

"I would like to thank the government, the local authorities and all the stakeholders who worked for the success of this organisation. This place is a real paradise. Thank you, Mozambique," said Mosengo-Omba.

The infrastructure inaugurated today consists of three pitches, two of which are for the training of the teams that will participate in the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, a main pitch called "Arena" with a 2,000 seats capacity, changing rooms, a car park and other facilities that have been built for use during and after the event.

2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations – Opening Ceremony – Vilankulos Beach Arena – Mozambique