The eight countries for the 2nd edition of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations were identified following the completion of the qualifiers.
Hosts Nigeria were joined by Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Morocco, Senegal and the defending champions, Madagascar.
Ghana overcame Kenya 17-4 on aggregate after winning home and away.
The Black Sharks defeated Kenya 10-3 and 7-1 in the first and second legs respectively.
Leading striker for the Ghanaians, Richard Osai scored a hat-trick to take his tally to seven in both legs.
Osai scored three goals in four minutes adding to a brace from Michael Sema. Kofi Aziz and Alexander Adjei were the other scorers for the Black Sharks with Madi Hassani grabbing a consolation for the visitors.
Cote d’Ivoire, who edged Tanzania 6-4 in Abidjan and 13-7 on aggregate.
Daniel N’guessan and Gnoleba Zemene gave the Ivorians a two-goal lead early in the game before Ahmada Abdi pulled one back for the East Africans.
Ally Abdalah levelled on 14 minutes only for two more goals from N’guessan and another from Zemene to take the game beyond the visitors. The homers survived a late scare from their guests who reduced the deficit through Kashiru Said and a second from Abdi.
Holders Madagascar sealed their place in grand style beating Mozambique 6-2 at the Majunga Stadium.
Two goals from Ymelda Razafimandimby and one each from Regis Enidiel, Christian Tsimiava, Flavien Razafimahatratra and Pierralit Tovonay was enough to land Barea a safe passage to Nigeria to defend their titles. The Mozambicans got a consolation through Silvino Pacule and Betinho Matlombe.
In Dakar, Senegal outclassed Cape Verde 5-2 to progress 12-4 on aggregate joining the likes of Egypt, Libya and Morocco who qualified after their opponents, Uganda, Sudan and Liberia withdrew from the qualifiers.
The final tournament will be held from 13-18 December 2016 in Lagos with the finalists qualifying to represent the continent FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas in 2017.
The draws for the final tournament have been fixed on the 24th September 2016 in Cairo, Egypt.
Results: Sat, 17th Sept 2016
Cote d’Ivoire 6-4 Tanzania (7-3)
Madagascar 6-2 Mozambique (3-2)
Sun, 18 September 2016
Ghana 7-1 Kenya (10-3)
Senegal 5-2 Cape Verde (7-2)
Qualified Teams: Nigeria (host), Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal
