Sand Cranes drawn against hosts Senegal, Mozambique and Ghana in 2026 AFCON

Event: CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2026

Dates: 28th November to 6th December

Host Country: Senegal

Uganda’s Sand Cranes will have another opportunity to improve their position in African beach soccer when they compete at the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal from November 28 to December 6.

This will be Uganda’s third appearance at the continental finals, with the team hoping to build on its previous performances and compete for a place at the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

The Sand Cranes made their debut at the 2021 edition in Senegal, where they reached the semi-finals before losing to Mozambique. They returned for the 2022 tournament in Mozambique but did not match their first performance.

Head coach Geoffrey Akabwai believes Uganda must be ready to face the best teams if it is to become a strong force in African beach soccer.

“It’s not an easy group, but at this level we have to beat the best so that we can also be the best and win. In East Africa, we are representing the CECAFA region, and this is a big responsibility for us as Sand Cranes,” Akabwai said.

Uganda has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts and defending champions Senegal, Mozambique and Ghana. Group B has Mauritania, Morocco, Malawi and tournament debutants Angola.

The group presents a difficult challenge, particularly with Senegal’s record in the competition. The hosts are the reigning African champions and have won the title five times, including the last five editions in 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Senegal also has experience at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, having appeared at 10 editions. Their strong record makes them one of the teams Uganda must prepare carefully to face.

Mozambique are also familiar opponents. They beat Uganda 6-3 in the semi-finals of the 2021 AFCON before finishing runners-up. They have since established themselves as one of the experienced sides in the competition.

Ghana, meanwhile, return to the continental finals after defeating Nigeria in the qualifiers. Their qualification adds another challenge to Uganda’s group.

Akabwai says the team knows the areas it must improve, especially after conceding many goals and scoring fewer during the qualifiers against Burundi, where Uganda progressed 13-10 on aggregate after winning the second leg 9-6.

“During camp, the focus will be on the defensive and the striking force because we conceded so many goals during the qualifiers, but we also scored fewer goals,” he said.

The coach is confident the team will compete well and says the main target is to reach the semi-finals, which would put Uganda one step away from qualifying for the World Cup.

“I promise we shall go and compete and represent East Africa very well. The main target when we go to AFCON is qualifying for the World Cup. The semi-finals are our target, and once we reach the semi-finals, we shall have one leg to the World Cup,” he added.

The two finalists at the tournament will represent Africa at the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, whose venue is yet to be confirmed.

Uganda secured its place at the finals after overcoming Burundi in the qualifiers. The team will now need to improve its defensive organisation and finishing if it is to progress beyond the group stage.

Akabwai works alongside Rica Byaruhanga on the national team technical bench. The two previously served the game as players before taking up coaching roles.

Groups

A: Senegal (Hosts), Mozambique, Uganda, Ghana

B: Mauritania, Morocco, Malawi, Angola