After failing to qualify for the semi final stage at the on-going 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Uganda Sand Cranes will now face Malawi in a classification match on Wednesday.

The Sand Cranes suffered a 6-2 defeat to Egypt on Monday in their last Group B match at the competition taking place at the Vilanculos Arena in Mozambique.

Sand Cranes needed a draw or win in their last Group match to qualify for the semi final stage.

Moustafa Shaaban gave Egypt the lead, and Uganda Sand Cranes captain Baker Lukooya leveled matters in the first period. Later Moustafa Shaban and Hossam Hassan netted two goals each, while Ismaeel Abdelkodos added the other for Egypt. Brian Nkuubi netted Uganda’s second goal.

After losing to reigning champions Senegal 10-1, beating Madagascar 6-3 and now losing to Egypt, Uganda Sand Cranes finished third in Group B and will now face Malawi to determine which teams finishes fifth and sixth.

Egypt will now face Morocco, while Senegal take on Mozambique at the semi final stage.

The Sand Cranes of Uganda got their act together to defeat Madagascar 6-3 in a Group B match played on Sunday at the on-going 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Mozambique.

Fresh from a big 10-1 to defending champions Senegal, the Sand Cranes came all out to give Madagascar no room.

Madagascar’s goalkeeper Jacques Raharison put his team ahead with a hard shot and Fofo Alexandre made it 2-0 in the second period. Tsiavahana Ramarolahy also netted another goal for the Madagascar team before the Uganda Sand Cranes fought back to win.

Brian Nkubi netted four goals, while Ismail Kawawulo and Joshua Lubwama picked a goal each to guide Uganda Sand Cranes to their first victory in the competition.

Angelo Schirinzi, the Uganda coach said after losing to Senegal in the opening match, his players had to return strongly. “We also knew that Madagascar is an opponent that would be within our reach. We will rest now with tomorrow’s game against Egypt in mind,” added the coach.

While Senegal qualify for the semi finals after stopping Egypt 6-3 today, the Uganda Sand Cranes will hope that they can register a win against Egypt on Monday to make it to the knock out stage. Senegal have six points, while Uganda are second on 3 points. Egypt are third with 1 point and Madagascar are yet to pick a point.

In a Group A match played on Sunday Morocco defeated hosts Mozambique 3-1.

The Uganda Sand Cranes are prepared to kick-start their campaign against defending champions Senegal at the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Mozambique.

The competition kicks off today with hosts Mozambique facing Malawi in a Group A match at the holiday resort town of Vilankulo.

Angelo Schrinzi, the Uganda Sand Cranes head coach made it clear that the team is well prepared for the competition. “We know Senegal is a good team and we need to be at our best facing them,” added the coach.

Schrinzi said the recent participation in the COSAFA Beach Soccer competition in South Africa helped the team prepare well. “The players know what we expect from them and we shall go all out first to qualify from the group,” added the coach.

Uganda Sand Cranes will face Madagascar on October 22^nd in their second Group B match, and later take on Egypt two days later.

The 2022 Beach Soccer AFCON which will attract seven teams will climax on October 28^th. Nigeria pulled out of the competition few weeks ago.

Meanwhile three referees from the CECAFA region Ramadhani Ndayisaba, Cynthia Ishimwe (Burundi) and Ivan Bayige Kintu (Uganda) were selected to join 10 other referees to officiate at the 2022 Beach Soccer AFCON.

Athuman Nyamlani, the 1^st Vice President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and Uganda’s Ali Mwebe have also been appointed as a member of the organizing Committee and a refereeing Assessor respectively at the competition.

_{Uganda Sand Cranes have been drawn to face reigning champions Senegal in the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2022.}

_{The competition will take place in Maputo, Mozambique between October 21-28th, 2022.}

_{In the draw conducted on Friday in Maputo by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Director of Competitions, Samson Adamu, the CECAFA representatives Uganda were placed in Group B alongside Senegal, 2015 champions Madagascar and Egypt.}

_{The Uganda Sand Cranes qualified for the Beach Soccer AFCON 2022 after ejecting Comoros 9-5 on aggregate. The Federation of Uganda Associations (FUFA) has today unveiled former Switzerland national beach soccer coach Angelo Schrinzi who will be in-charge of the Uganda Sand Cranes at the COSAFA Beach Soccer tournament in South Africa and the Beach Soccer AFCON in Mozambique.}

_{Salim Jamal Muwonge, who was in-charge of the team during the qualification said that although they are placed against very strong teams, they will prepare well for the competition. “Our target is to get to the final and qualify for the World Cup,” added Muwonge.}

_{Senegal who have won the last three Beach Soccer AFCON titles defeated Uganda Sand Cranes 5-1 in the last Edition of the competition in 2021.}

_{The hosts Mozambique who lost in the final last year have been placed in Group A together with debutants Malawi, Nigeria and Morocco.}

_{Group A: Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, Morocco}

_{Group B: Senegal, Uganda, Madagascar, Egypt}