2021 Beach soccer Africa cup of Nation
Group A
Senegal 5-1 Uganda
Saly, Senegal
The Uganda Sand Cranes were handed a harsh welcome to the Beach Soccer AFCON finals as they lost 5-1 to hosts Senegal on Sunday.
Senegal, record winners of the tournament with 7 titles capitalized on their experience and home advantage against a Ugandan side that is making their debut at the tournament.
Senegal led two out of three periods, 3-0, 1-0 and 1-1 with Uganda’s maiden goal at any AFCON beach soccer finals coming from the sweet left foot of Isma Kawawulo at the Saly beach soccer stadium.
Royal Mendy and Fah Babacas each scored a brace with Ninou Diatta netting the other goal for the hosts and tournament defending champions.
The team quickly regroups on Monday, 24th May 2021 to lay bold strategies for the upcoming next match against traditional rivals, Tanzania barely 24 hours after the first game.
Definitely, there will be expectations as the team takes to the lavish facility against the neighbours Tanzania.
“We shall capitalize on our strong points and positives picked from the game against a largely experienced Senegal side who have won the AFCON seven times and also been at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. We have learnt a lot from them that we shall use in our game against Tanzania on Monday.” Bashir Mutyaba, Sand Cranes assistant coach noted on Sunday.