Sand Cranes book ticket to Senegal for 2026 AFCON Beach soccer
David GOMBE
The Uganda national beach soccer team, the Sand Cranes, have secured a place at the 2026 AFCON Beach Soccer Championship after overcoming Burundi 13-10 on aggregate.
Geoffrey Akabwai’s charges sealed qualification for the finals in Senegal after defeating Burundi 9-6 at Bunjako Beach in the return leg on Sunday to prevail 13-10 on aggregate.
The two sides had played out a 4-4 stalemate in the first leg meeting last weekend in Bujumbura.
Godfrey Edweru, Baker Lukooya and Joshua Letti Lubwama were all on target with braces, while Ambrose Kigozi, Brian Nkuubi Ssemakula and Paul Lule added the other goals.
The final tournament of the 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON is scheduled for November 7-14, 2026, in Senegal.
This marks the Sand Cranes’ third qualification for the continental tournament, following past appearances in 2021 and 2022.