Uganda secured its place in the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations following a victory in the second round of qualifying. The team advanced after defeating Burundi 9-6 in the return leg held at Bunjako Beach on 18 October. This result followed a 4-4 draw between the two sides during the first leg of the fixture.
Uganda player Baker Lukooya expressed the squad's satisfaction with the achievement. "We are very happy to qualify for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations," Lukooya said. "We have worked really hard to be able to qualify." The win confirms Uganda's participation in the tournament, joining other qualified nations for the upcoming competition.
Dominant Performance at Bunjako Beach
Joshua Letti Lubwama, Baker Lukooya, and Godfrey Edweru each recorded two goals for Uganda during the match at Bunjako Beach. Ambrose Kigozi, Brian Nkuubi, and Paul Lule contributed one goal each to secure the team's victory. Burundi’s offensive efforts were led by La vie Nininahazwe and Mossi Nshimirimana, who each scored a hat-trick.
Regional Standing and Tournament Outlook
Uganda stands as the sole representative from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) zone to secure a position in the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations. The qualification confirms the team's status as the regional leader for the upcoming tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Senegal.
Tanzania, the other regional contender from the CECAFA zone, failed to advance through the qualification phase. Mozambique eliminated Tanzania from the competition, ending their bid to reach the final tournament. This outcome leaves Uganda as the only squad from the zone in the continental lineup. The qualification of Uganda marks a significant shift in regional representation, as other CECAFA nations were unable to overcome their respective opponents during the qualification rounds. Players and staff now prepare for the tournament schedule in Senegal, while the remaining regional teams turn their attention toward future international cycles following their elimination.
Road to the World Cup
Senegal serves as the host nation for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations. Scheduled matches are set to take place from November 7-15.
Eight teams will compete in the tournament to determine the continental champion. This event functions as the official African qualifying pathway for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Participation in the global tournament depends on performance at the continental level, as the two finalists from the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations will secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.