Guest side Tanzania kick started their 2024 COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship on a losing note as the competition started today in Durban, South Africa.

Handled by coach Boniface Pawasa Tanzania suffered a 3-2 defeat to Angola in the opening Group B match played at the South Beach Arena.

In the second Group B match North African guests Morocco humbled 2021 winners Mozambique. 5-2

The competition organized by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) also saw Malawi defeat hosts South Africa 4-2 and Seychelles, the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup hosts edge Saudi Arabia 3-1 in Group A matches played.

Action continues on Monday with several games, before a rest day on Tuesday. The top two sides from each group will advance to the semi -final stage to be played on March 22, while the final will take place the next day.

Tanzania will be one of the guest sides to play at the 2024 COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship slated for March 17-23^rd in Durban, South Africa.

The Tanzanian team that has previously played twice in the same Championship will be joined by other guest sides Morocco and the only non-African side ever to grace the event Saudi Arabia.

“We are delighted to be back in Durban as we host the latest instalment of the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship,” says COSAFA Executive Director Sue Destombes.

She says the growth of Beach Soccer in Africa and around the world has been steady over the last few years and a sign of the growing popularity of this version of football. “As COSAFA, we are always seeking to help our members gain international exposure and grow all forms of the game in their territories, and this is another sign of that,” added Destombes.

The other teams that will take part in the Championship include the 2021 winners Mozambique, Angola, Seychelles, Malawi and hosts South Africa.

The teams will be drawn into two groups of four sides, with the top two advancing to the semifinals.

The pool stage fixtures are scheduled for March 17, 18 and 20, with the semifinals on March 22, and the final and bronze medal match a day later.

The 2022 COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship was won by African powerhouse Senegal, who beat Egypt 5-3 in the decider. Mozambique finished fourth after losing 8-7 to Uganda in the bronze medal match.

_{Uganda Sand Cranes have finished third in the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Beach Soccer Championships 2022 which climaxed in Durban, South Africa on Saturday.}

_{The Ugandan team edged last year’s champions Mozambique 8-7 in extra time to settle for third place.}

_{Godfrey Lwesibawa, Ambrose Kigozi, Isma Kawawulo, Jonathan Kikonyogo gave Uganda Sand Cranes the lead after the first period, while Angelo Tomas netted for Mozambique.}

_{But the 2021 champions returned determined when Nelson Manuel scored five goals, Antonio Namape Jr. (Figo) netted the other. Kawawulo was on the mark again, while Brian Nkuubi Brian netted a brace of his own for Uganda, including a penalty. Lwesibawa netted the winning goal for Uganda.}

_{In the final African champions Senegal came from 3-1 down to defeat Egypt 5-3.}

_{The tournament attracted eight teams including Uganda and Tanzania from the CECAFA region.}

_{The Uganda Sand Cranes kick started their Hollywoodbets COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship 2022 campaign on a winning note on Sunday.}

_{The Sand Cranes defeated Tanzania 4-2 in a Group B match played at Durban’s South Beach Arena.} 

_{The Sand Cranes under new coach Angelo Schrinzi from Switzerland scored two goals through Ambrose Kigozi, while Joshua Lubwama and Isma Kawawulo picked a goal each. Goodluck Gama netted a brace for the Tanzanian team.}

_{“I am happy that we started the Championship with a win. But we need to keep improving in every match,” said Uganda Sand Cranes coach Schrinzi after the match.}

_{The Sand Cranes who are second in Group B will today face Mauritius, while Tanzania take on table leaders Egypt.}

_{Egypt opened the Championship with a 6-3 win against Mauritius in a Group B match, while African champions Senegal struggled to beat Mozambique 5-4 and Seychelles stopped South Africa 3-2.}

_{The best two teams will qualify for the semi finals. Senegal, Uganda, Mozambique and Egypt are using the Championship to prepare for the Beach Soccer AFCON 2022 to take place in Mozambique next month.}