Beach soccer: SA vs Egypt, Nigeria
20 September 2006
South Africa start off against Egypt, followed by Nigeria, at the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup qualifier on Durban's South Beach next week.
At the official draw for the African leg of qualifying, taking place from 26 to 30 September, South Africa were drawn in group A alongside Egypt and Nigeria, with Cameroon, Morocco and Ivory Coast making up group B.
This means Mark Williams and company will open their account against Egypt on 26 September, then have a day's rest when Nigeria faces Egypt on 27 September, before playing Nigeria in the final pool match.
Group B
In group B, Cameroon will kick off the tournament with their clash against Morocco and then face Ivory Coast on the second day. Morocco and Ivory Coast complete the group B programme on 28 September.
The all-important semi-finals take place between the top two teams in each group on 29 September. The two semi-final winners will progress to
the final, as well as - and more importantly - earn a place at the World Cup finals in Rio in November as Africa's two representatives.
Neither South African captain Williams nor coach Marcelo Mendez was giving too much away when asked about the draw after a function at a Durban hotel on Tuesday.
Unknown opposition
"We do not know too much about either Nigerian or Egyptian beach soccer," Mendez said. "It would have been nice to be able to watch the other two teams on the first day, but that is not the case, so we will have to see what happens.
"I know Egypt field players who have good skills, so I expect them to be good at beach soccer," Williams said. "And Nigeria are usually big and physical, so it will not be easy."
Nigeria is coached by former Super Eagles' coach Shaibu Amodu, who led the field soccer team to third place at the 2002 African Cup of Nations. He also guided them to qualification for the 2004 World Cup, but
was sacked before the tournament started.
Their squad is made up of players who are currently playing top-level club football within Nigeria, but it is not known how much beach soccer experience they have.
Groups:
Group A - South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt
Group B - Morocco, Ivory Coast, Cameroon
Order of play:
26 Sept: Morocco v Cameroon, SA v Egypt.
27 Sept: Ivory Coast v Cameroon, Nigeria v Egypt
28 Sept: Morocco v Ivory Coast, SA v Nigeria
29 Sept: Semi-finals: winner A v runner-up B, winner B v runner-up A
30 Sept: third-place playoff, final
For more information, visit Beach Soccer SA.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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