Byaruhanga targets defensive improvement ahead of AFCON

AFCON 2026 Beach Soccer Qualifiers

Uganda 9 Burundi 6

(Aggregate: Uganda qualifies with 13-10 aggregate)

Uganda Sand Cranes coach Rica Byaruhanga says his team must improve defensively and reduce the number of goals they concede before the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Uganda qualified for the continental tournament after beating Burundi 9-6 at Bunjako Beach in Buwama, Mpigi district, on Sunday to win 13-10 on aggregate.

Byaruhanga says the team’s ability to score is encouraging, but they must tighten their defence before facing stronger opposition at the finals scheduled for November 28 to December 6.

“Where we intend to improve is strictly not allowing more goals. In beach soccer, there’s no defender, there’s no striker. Everyone defends, everyone strikes,” Byaruhanga said.

The coach praised his players for their performance against Burundi, saying they had to raise their level after the 4-4 draw in the first leg in Bujumbura.

“I’m so proud of the boys. Leaving Burundi when it was 4-4, everyone thought it was an easy game, but we knew that we had to step up and give it our best,” he said.

Uganda started strongly at Bunjako Beach, leading 2-1 after the opening period before extending the advantage to 4-2 by the end of the second period. 

The Sand Cranes later led 6-3, but Burundi fought back and kept putting pressure on the hosts. Byaruhanga said the visitors deserved credit for their determination.

“I want to credit that team. They didn’t give up. Each period they kept coming at us, but our individual players were exceptional,” he said.

He also rejected the view that Burundi were an easy opponent, pointing to the way they continued attacking even when they were behind.

“Burundi  never gave up. They kept bringing the ball to us, and we kept taking the ball to them. It’s not an easy team, like everyone thinks,” Byaruhanga said.

Godfrey Edweru, Baker Lukooya and Jousha Letti Lubwama scored twice each for Uganda, while Ambrose Kigozi, Brian Nkuubi Ssemakula and Paul Lule added one goal apiece.

Burundi’s Ninihanazwe and Mossi Nshimirimana each scored a hat-trick, but Uganda held on to secure a historic qualification.

The finals in Senegal will feature eight teams including hosts Senegal, Uganda, Malawi, Morocco, Ghana, Mauritania, Mozambique and Angola.

Uganda will be the only representative from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) region after Tanzania were eliminated by Mozambique.

Senegal, the defending champions, have won five editions of the competition and will provide a major test for the Sand Cranes.

The tournament will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, with the two finalists earning qualification.