In Summary: Uganda will face hosts and defending champions Senegal, Mozambique and Ghana in Group A, with a semi-final place and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup among their targets.
Kampala, Uganda — Uganda Sand Cranes head coach Geoffrey Akabwai has identified defensive improvement and better finishing as key priorities as the national beach soccer team prepares for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
Akabwai says the two areas will receive particular attention during the team’s preparations as Uganda targets a place in the semi-finals and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The tournament will run from November 28 to December 6, with Uganda drawn in Group A alongside hosts and defending champions Senegal, Mozambique and Ghana.
Akabwai believes the Sand Cranes must be ready to compete against the continent’s strongest teams if they are to achieve their ambitions.
“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,” he said.
Uganda booked its place at the continental finals after overcoming Burundi 13-10 on aggregate in the qualifiers, winning the second leg 9-6.
However, the coach believes the team still has considerable work to do after conceding several goals and failing to score enough during the qualifying campaign. “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 Sand Cranes face a difficult challenge against Senegal, who are the reigning African champions and five-time continental title winners. The hosts will also enjoy home support as they seek to defend their crown.
Mozambique are another familiar opponent for Uganda. They defeated the Sand Cranes 6-3 in the semi-finals of the 2021 edition before finishing as runners-up. Ghana completed Group A after securing qualification by defeating Nigeria.
Uganda will be making its third appearance at the continental finals. The team reached the semi-finals on its debut in 2021, also held in Senegal, but had a less successful campaign at the 2022 edition in Mozambique.
The two finalists will qualify to represent Africa at the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, whose venue is yet to be confirmed.
2026 Beach Soccer AFCON groups
Group A: Senegal (hosts), Mozambique, Uganda, Ghana.
Group B: Mauritania, Morocco, Malawi, Angola.
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