The 7th edition of Africa’s most anticipated indoor football game, the futsal tournament, took place from 11th- 21st April in the city of Rabat, Morroco. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Morocco, the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) reached its thrilling climax over the weekend.
The tournament, which showcased the skills and passion of 8 African futsal teams, captivated fans across the continent.
The Futsal AFCON kicked off in grand style with a spectacular opening ceremony held at the magnificent Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca. The atmosphere was electric as 8 teams from across Africa paraded their colors, exuding a sense of national pride.
The two group stage games witnessed intense battles on the futsal courts as teams showcased their tactical prowess, individual skills, and unwavering determination to secure a spot in the knockout stages. Group A consisted of Morocco, Angola, Zambia, and Ghana, whilst Group B comprised Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, and Namibia.
Ghana made an early exit from Group A, conceding 24 goals and scoring only 8 goals, exiting the tournament with no victory. In Group B, Namibia was kicked out in the early stages as well, scoring 12 goals and conceding 26 goals.
As the knockout stages beckoned, the tension grew palpable. The semi-finals of the tournament were filled with intense and thrilling matches as Morocco faced Libya, while Egypt battled it out with Angola.
The teams displayed exceptional determination and skill as they fought relentlessly to secure their spot in the highly anticipated finals. The Moroccan side beat Libya 6-0, while the Egyptian side lost 3-7 to Angola, ruling Egypt out of the Futsal AFCON final for the first time in the competition’s history.
Finally, the moment arrived for the two best teams to face off in the grand finale. The defending champions, Morocco, squared off against Angola in a repeat of the enthralling game that had transpired between both teams in their tournament opener in Group A.
Morocco annihilated Angola 5-1 to secure their third successive Futsal AFCON crown in the process, triumphing over Angola for the second time in the competition. Libya, however, found itself in 3rd after they beat Egypt in a penalty shootout.
The results at the end of the tournament mean Morocco, Angola, and Libya have successfully qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which will take place on Sat, September 14, 2024 — Sunday, October 6, 2024, in Uzbekistan.
The legacy of the just-ended AFCON Futsal will continue to inspire future generations of futsal players, leaving an unforgettable mark on the African sports landscape.
Story by: Asumugha Whitney Amarachukwu |univers.ug.edu.gh
