Hosts South Africa have been drawn in a tough Group A at the 2023 COSAFA Beach Soccer Championships, a pool which also includes 2015 finalists Malawi, guest nation Saudi Arabia and 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup hosts Seychelles.
Group B has top seed Morocco, 2021 winners Mozambique, finalists from that same year Tanzania, and Angola in what will be another tightly-contested pool when the tournament is played in Durban from March 17-23.
The top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals, so there will be little margin for error.
Malawi are returning to the competition after a nine-year hiatus and having participated in the last Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations means they come with continental experience.
Saudi Arabia are the first ever team from outside the continent to compete at a COSAFA event, and will bring an exciting Middle East flavour to the tournament.
Seychelles are building towards their hosting of the global finals next year and have recently been on a training camp in the United Arab Emirates.
Morocco have traditionally been strong in beach soccer and will perhaps be favourites for Group B honours, but will face plenty of competition.
Mozambique are veterans of several Beach Soccer Cup of Nations, and Tanzania are always strong.
Angola made the semifinals in 2021 and bring a physicality and no shortage of skill.
The pool stage fixtures are scheduled for March 17, 18 and 20, with the semifinals on March 22, and the final and bronze medal match a day later.
Hosts Madagascar won the inaugural event in 2015, which was played as a one-off and did not see the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship return to the calendar for six years.
Madagascar were also African champions after they beat Senegal in the final of the continental competition nine years ago, the only COSAFA country to so far lift the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
Mozambique defeated East African guest nation Tanzania in the COSAFA final in 2021, a match that brought to an end a thrilling competition that was both hugely entertaining but also showcased the incredible skills in the region.
Mozambique added to the silver medal they won at the 2021 CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations which earned them a place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia the same year.
The 2022 COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship was won by African powerhouse Senegal, who beat Egypt 5-3 in the decider. Mozambique finished fourth after losing 8-7 to Uganda in the bronze medal match.
2023 COSAFA BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS DRAW
GROUP A
South Africa
Malawi
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
GROUP B
Morocco
Mozambique
Tanzania
Angola
