Review of Africa Beach Soccer Championship in Morocco
The Lions of Teranga beat Cote d’Ivoire in the final to claim the Cup in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – CAF Qualifier.
The roar by Lions of Teranga was again loudly heard all along Africa. With a terribly consistent display, the Senegal National Beach Soccer team bent Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the FIFA Beach Soccer Qualifier to successfully defend their continental crown.
Despite having lead an amusing way into the final, beating big powerhouses such as Nigeria or upsetting hosts Morocco in the fight for one of the World Cup berths in the semifinals, the Elephants were given little chance by Senegal. Just three minutes into the game, Koukpaki swept the Senegalese ahead, with scorer-mate Ngalla Sylla to follow for the 2-0 before the first hooter.
Balde’s 3-0 right at the beginning of the second leg set clear that this was Senegal’s evening. Diop’s lads were feeling absolutely strong at the Plage Brija, and Sakanoko’s hit for the 3-1 caused little harm on their self-confidence. Indeed, only one minute after the second break, Cheikh restored the status quo on the pitch and closed the score for Senegal.
The final whistle certified a new golden chapter in the Senegalese Beach Soccer history. Cote d’Ivoire may have not been lucky enough in their dream of clinching the continental throne, but their terrific performance in El Jadida did get them an enormous prize: the right to represent African Beach Soccer in the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013, together with Senegal.
Goals: 1-0: Koukpaki, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Ng. Sylla, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Balde, min. 10 (2); 3-1: Sakanoko, min. 2 (2); 4-1: Cheikh, min. 10 (3);
The El Hadaoui brothers send Morocco third
The Moroccan Beach Soccer National Team sealed today a historic win against Nigeria, a triumph that got the host clinching the third place in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 – CAF Qualifier El Jadida-Morocco. The performance by the two El Hadaoui brothers, Nassim and Anas, was key for the Moroccan to secure their best position ever in the African Beach Soccer panorama.
Yet in the very first period of the game, the Lions of the Atlas set clear that they might have lost the chance of getting into the World Cup, but they would not let the third place flee from their hands. Nassim, awarded as the tournament’s MVP, widened the gap within the first period, and, minutes afterwards, his younger brother, Anas, rocketed a free kick home to make it 3-0.
Nigeria tried to counteract the Moroccan dominion, and two hits by Abu, the tournament’s Top Scorer, got them back in the fight, with the 2-3. But the hosts were feeling really confident today, and Anas El Hadaoui hit again to cut the Nigerian reaction just three minutes later.
Three more goals in the last stage of the game confirmed the Lions of the Atlas were seizing the third place, thus making another important step in their growth as a team in the continental Beach Soccer.
Goals: 0-1: Brigel, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Nassim, min. 3 (1); 0-3: El Hadaoui, min. 1 (1); 1-3: Abu, min. 9 (2); 2-3: Abu, min. 8 (2); 2-4: El Hadaoui, min. 5 (2); 2-5: Nassim, min. 8 (3); 2-6: El Hadaoui, min. 6 (3); 2-7: El Hamidy, min. 0 (3)
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2013 – CAF QUALIFIER EL JADIDA-MOROCCO
El Jadida (Morocco). 22nd to 26th of May, 2013
Results today:
Sunday, 26th of May, 2013
17:00 – Nigeria 2-7 Morocco– match for the 3rd place)
18:15 – Senegal 4-1 Cote d’Ivoire – FINAL
Final standings
CHAMPIONS – Senegal*
Runner-up – Cote d’Ivoire*
3rd place – Morocco
4th place – Nigeria
*Qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013
Individual awards:
MVP: Nassim El Hadaoui (MAR)
Top Scorer: Abu (NGA) – 12 goals
Best Goalkeeper: N’Diaye (SEN)
