Sand Cranes hope to bounce back in Abidjan

2018 AFCON Beach Soccer qualifiers

Result

First leg

Uganda 1 Ivory Coast 3

Return Leg

September 21

Ivory Coast v Uganda- Abidjan

Despite the defeat in the first leg, national Beach Soccer team Sand Cranes coach Salim Muwonge believes his side can bounce back in the return leg against Ivory Coast in the 2018 AFCON Beach Soccer qualifiers.

Muwonge was speaking after the Sand Cranes went down 3-1 to the Ivorian in the first leg at Spennah Beach, Entebbe on Sunday.

 Cote D'IVoire's Daniel N'gusessan and Uganda's Douglas Muganga during the AFCON Beach Soccer qualifier 

"We created a couple of goal scoring chances although we did not utilise them. We played against a side that has played at the CAF final championship a number of times. We have learnt from the mistakes and hope to improve before the return leg. The 1-3 margin can be easily overturned in the return leg,"Muwonge said.

Eric Bile Sidonne Kablan Assouan, Daniel N'guessan Kouassitchi and  Frederic Aka Kablan each had a goal for Ivory Coast, while Douglas Muganga scored the consolation for the hosts.

The two countries will face off again in the return leg on September 21 in Abidjan. The winner after the two legged encounters will qualify for the finals scheduled for December 9 to 14 in Cairo, Egypt.

The 2018 championship will be the second edition of the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations since the current name was adopted in 2016.

The tournament will act as a qualifier for African teams to the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.