Egypt fails to reach Beach Soccer World Cup

CAIRO – 12 December 2018: Egypt lost 7-6 to Nigeria on Wednesday afternoon at the 2018 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) semi-finals; the game was held at Laguna Vista BS Stadium, Sharm El-Sheikh.

Egypt needed to reach the final to appear for the first time at the World Cup as only the winner and the runners-up will represent Africa at the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.

Nigeria, who reached the semi-finals as runners-up in their group, had a great start in the game and scored two goals by Azeez Abu and Victor Tale but Egypt decreased the gap by Mostafa Sasa’s goal seconds before the end of the first period.

At the second period, Haitham Costa equalized for Egypt but minutes later Emeka Ogbonna and Abu added two goals to make the score 4-2 for Nigeria. Mostafa Samir scored the third goal for Egypt to make the score 4-3.

At the third period, Abu added the fifth goal for Nigeria to make Egypt’s mission harder but two goals from Mostafa Samir and Mohamed Abdelnaby made the score 5-5.

Two minutes later, Abu added the sixth goal for Nigeria and his own fourth in the game but Egypt’s Abdel Naby equalized from a penalty.

Everyone was expecting the game to go to the additional time but a late goal from Ogbonna sent Nigeria to the final and secured their spot at the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Nigeria will face the winner between Senegal and Morocco at the final, while Egypt will face the loser to decide the third place winner.

Egypt hosts the championship at a stadium designed especially for this tournament from December 8 to 14.