Football: African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) Seychelles exit tournament following heavy 2-12 defeat against Egypt |27 May 2021
The Seychelles team
The Senegalese adventure of our national selection at the ongoing African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations came to an end on Tuesday following a heavy 2-12 defeat at the hands of Egypt in their third match at the competition.
Tuesday’s defeat was the third in as many matches for the team at the continental tournament, after losing their opening match to Morocco on Sunday and their second outing against Mozambique on Monday.
In their first on Sunday, the boys of head coach Don Anacoura lost 2-5 to Morocco, before losing 3-7 at the hands of Mozambique in their second group encounter on Monday.
In their last group match against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday, Seychelles suffered a heavy 2-12 defeat, getting its marching order from the tournament.
Goals from Ahmed Mohamed Elshahat, Hossam Hassan, Haitham Mahsoud, Mohamed Hassan, Abdelrahman Hassan and Eslam Salama secured the win for Egypt, while Ronny Bamboche and Robinson Cadeau scored the consolation goals for Seychelles.
With three wins in as many games, Mozambique are the winners of group B and have qualified for Friday’s semifinals. They await to know their opponents as Senegal were to play against Tanzania in group B yesterday. In yesterday’s other match, Egypt were to face Morocco to decide the group B runners-up.
Drawn in group B alongside Mozambique, Morocco and Egypt, Seychelles booked a spot at the final phase of the tournament after Madagascar withdrew their participation in the qualifiers last month.
The other group is made up of Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda after the Democratic Republic of the Congo decided not to take part at the very last minute.
Egypt qualified automatically to the finals as the highest-ranked entrant based on the results of the previous competition.
Seychelles first took part in the tournament in 2015 when they played hosts and finished last out of eight teams without a single win and Madagascar were crowned the kings of African beach soccer after beating 2013 champions and early favourites Senegal in an exciting penalty shootout after the score remained locked at 1-1.
The tournament has been running since 2006 and Egypt has the most appearances at the competition, with 10 appearances, having played at every cup since its inception, while Senegal lead in terms of victories with five and have qualified for the World Cup seven times. Nigeria have been to the World Cup six times.
The competition is due to conclude on Saturday May 29, with the two teams who reach the final qualifying to represent Africa at the 2021 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup, scheduled to be held in Moscow from August 19 to 29.
The Seychelles delegation at the African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations:
Goalkeepers: Davis Léon (Club Stormy Taka), Travis Cadeau (Sunrise), Dominic Bouchereau (Equator)
Outfield players: Terence Amade (Equator), Glenny Gamatis, Mike Balette (Club Stormy Taka), Robinson Cadeau (Sunrise), Randolph Jolicoeur, Ronny Bamboche, Lorrdy Sinon, Michael Cadeau (Real Maldives), Herrode Prosper (One Stone), Stephen Lajoie (Beach Boys) and Hansel Coeur de Lion (MLUH).
Coaching staff: Don Anacoura (head coach), Alpha Baldé and Allen Larue (assistant coaches)
Head of delegation: Clive Delorie
Medical: Dr Martin and physiotherapist Wilna Figaro
Manager: Dominic Savy
Results
Group A
Senegal beat Uganda 5-1
Uganda beat Tanzania 4-3
Group B
Mozambique beat Egypt 7-5
Morocco beat Seychelles 5-1
Mozambique beat Seychelles 7-3
Egypt beat Seychelles 12-2
Mozambique beat Morocco 2-1
Roland Duval
