South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire will fight for a berth in the final of the Power Horse Beach Soccer African Trophy Durban 2015
Penalty kick go-through for Côte d’Ivoire over Morocco
Côte d’Ivoire earned the first berth in the semi-finals of the Power Horse Beach Soccer African Trophy 2015, after a penalty kick win over Morocco. The game was exactly what you can expect from two of the best teams in the African panorama: a balanced fight between two sides that would not give up until the end, no matter how things were going on the sand.
After some tightly combatted, first minutes, Daniel swept the Ivoirians ahead with the opener, but Morocco would not lose track of their opponents and would equalize immediately, with a goal by Anas El Hadaoui from the halfway line.
Both sides would lean back a bit, and no more balls found the back of the net in the following minutes, but in a sudden turn, the game seemed to definitely fall on Ivorian hands with two goals by Kabletchi and Tchetche in the second frame. The Atlas Lions were not beaten, though, and fought their way back into the game with two goals by El Hamidy and El Karkouri.
Côte d’Ivoire would not let that comeback affect them too much, and Aka, with just two minutes to go, pushed his side ahead once again. Things had got very difficult for the Moroccans, who were running out of time, but El Hadaoui, with his second rocket of the afternoon, sent the game into extra time.
The score remained untouched during the additional three minutes, and only the penalty kick shootout was left to discern who was bagging the ticket to the next round. The Ivorian side stood perfect from the 9 meter distance, got to semi-finals and upset Morocco, who loses the chance to fight for this Power Horse Beach Soccer African Trophy Durban 2015.
Goals: 0-1: Daniel, min. 7 (1); 1-1: El Hadaoui, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Kabletchi, min. 8 (2); 1-3: Tchetche, min. (2); 2-3: El Hamidy, min. 11 (3); 3-3: El Karkouri, min. 3 (3); 3-4: Aka, min. 2 (3); 4-4: El Hadaoui, min. 0 (3)
Penalty kick shootout: Daniel, in; Nassim, in; Aka, in; El Hadaoui, out; Enam, in.
Senegal overcomes mighty Mozambique
The defending African Champions, Senegal, will be in the semi-finals of this Power Horse Beach Soccer African Trophy Durban 2015, following a tight win over Mozambique. The Lions of Teranga found it really hard to shake off the pressure by the cheeky Mambas, but a hat-trick by inspired Hamad François Diouf had the Senegalese emerging as semi-finalists of the competition.
When Diouf opened the score just seconds into the game, it seemed that today’s game could be a pleasant stroll for the African kings. But it was not. By far it was not. Despite widening the gap, with Diouf’s second hit, Mozambique became a really uncomfortable opponent, and immediately replied to keep close in the score.
Senegal knew that they could not afford a single mistake, as Mozambique would be ready to take advantage of it. Diouf, bagging his third goal of the day, and Faye, gave the Senegalese side a considerable safety cushion for the last stage of the game, and, despite Hélder hit back for the 4-2, that effort seemed to be too little and too late to spur the Mozambican expectations. With the final whistle, the African kings, Senegal, earned access to the semi-finals, whereas Mozambique, who will be playing Ghana for the 5th place tomorrow, can be proud of having truly put such an experienced side such as Senegal to the test.
Goals: 1-0: Diouf, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Diouf, min. 10 (2); 2-1: Hélder, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Diouf, min. 8 (3); 4-1: Faye, min. 7 (3); 4-2: Hélder, min. 6 (3)
Nigeria confidently advances to semi-finals
The Nigerian Beach Soccer team lead a convincing victory over Ghana to make sure they will be fighting tomorrow for a place in the final of this Power Horse Beach Soccer African Trophy Durban 2015. Ibenegbu and Babatunde took turns to have the Sand Eagles flying high, never letting the Ghanaians get too close in the score.
Two early hits had Nigeria commanding the game from the very beginning, grasping an advantage that they will never throw around. Captain Sema tried to have Ghana stand still, pulling one back just minutes after the Nigerian 2-0. But the game was too tightly controlled by the Sand Eagles, who would strengthen their dominion with two new strokes.
With only seven minutes to the final whistle, things were very difficult for the Black Stars. Kumensah’s late effort would not even scare the Nigerian side, who would make sure that things went no further with their fifth hit today. With this win, Adamu’s squad will take on one of their fiercest enemies, Senegal, for a place in the final of the competition, whereas Ghana will face Mozambique in the battle for the 5th place.
Goals: Ibenegbu, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Babatunde, min. 9 (1); 2-1: Sema, min. 6 (1); 3-1: Babatunde, min. 10 (2); 4-1: Ibenegbu, min. 7 (3); 4-2: Kumensah, min. 3 (3); 5-2: Babatunde, min. 1 (3);
South Africa squeezes into semi-finals
The South African Beach Soccer National Team joined the best four teams in this Power horse Beach soccer African Trophy Durban 2015 after turning around the score against the surprising Seychelles team. The Bafana Bafana saw things get complicated, after The Pirates stepped ahead in the score, but managed to correct the situation before it was too late.
Coached by Brazil’s Bruno Malias, the Seychelles were making their debut in international competition, and for many minutes they had their opponent against the ropes. Midway second period, Cadeau sealed the first international goal for his country, and that hit had the islanders commanding for a whole period.
South Africa were enjoying a considerable amount of goal chances, but they seemed unable to convert any. Finally, Mokababa broke the Seychelles resistance, and with two goals turned the score around. Despite being ahead, the Bafana Bafana kept working to increase their advantage, whereas Seychelles, seeing themselves so close, never lose sight of the opponents end. In the end, though, neither the hosts nor Malias’ side found the back of the net again, and the final 2-1 sends South Africa to the semi-finals, where they will take on Côte d’Ivoire for a place in the event’s decider on Sunday. Seychelles, in turn, will fight for the 5th place, but, if they continue working, and under the wise commandment of Bruno Malias, they can caus one upset or two in a near future…
Goals: 0-1: Cadeau, min. 9 (2); 1-1: Mokababa, min. 9 (3); 2-1: Mokababa, min. 8 (3)
POWER HORSE BEACH SOCCER AFRICAN TROPHY DURBAN 2015
Friday 06.03.15
13.00 – Morocco 4(1)-4(3) Cote d’Ivoire
14.15 – Senegal 4-2 Mozambique
15.30 – Nigeria 5-2 Ghana
16.45 – South Africa 2-1 Seychelles
Saturday 07.03.15
13.00 – Seychelles vs Morocco (Playoff for 5th Place)
14.15 – Mozambique vs Ghana (Playoff for 5th Place)
15.30 – Senegal vs Nigeria (Semifinal)
16.45 – South Africa vs Cote d’Ivoire (Semifinal)
