By Edwin Mbewe
CAIRO-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Beach Soccer National team has been humiliated and booted out of the 2024 Egypt Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations after suffering 11-6 by the debutants at the tournament, Mauritania on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
Malawi, who are grouped alongside Senegal and Mozambique in group B in the ongoing tournament at Hurghada Beach in Egypt, have been shown an exit door without a win on the ground following their defeats over Mozambique and Senegal in their opening and second matches, respectively, of the group.
Mauritania, who also defeated the defending Champions, Senegal, 5-2, has qualified for the semifinals from the group, whereas Malawi will battle it out against Tanzania in the 7th and 8th position classification.
Tanzania has also lost all games in group A which has the host, Egypt, Morocco and Ghana.
Malawi lost 4-3 against Mozambique in their opening game before suffering a 6-1 humiliation against defending Champions Senegal.
Meanwhile, Senegal and Mozambique will battle it out for a semifinal slot from group B.
Morocco and Egypt lock horns in another Group A battle despite both booking the semifinal ticket already.
Speaking after the game, Malawi Beach soccer coach Willy Kumilambe acknowledged the defeat and described the journey of the team in Egypt as disappointing.
“I am disappointed with the result, but the performance today was good; they worked hard. They gave it out to win the game but the day wasn’t ours. The team lacked experience, and our opponents utilized that; they are a good team despite being their debut tournament.
“My appeal to the authorities is that they should try to give us international friendlies ahead of any competition. We have to focus on the development of the sport because we are only taking order players to tournaments, but we need to start from the grassroots”, explained Kumilambe.
The tournament is also a qualifier for the 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup slated for Seychelles in May.
