• Uganda 9-6 Burundi [Aggregate: 13-10]

Uganda’s national beach soccer team, the Sand Cranes, have qualified for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations for the after defeating Burundi 9-6 in the second leg of their qualifying tie at Bunjako Beach in Buwama, Mpigi District, on Sunday.

The victory gave Uganda a 13-10 aggregate win after the first leg in Bujumbura ended 4-4, securing a historic place at the continental championship.

Godfrey Edweru, Baker Lukooya and Joshua Letti Lubwama scored twice each, while Ambrose Kigozi, Brian Nkuubi Ssemakula and Paul Lule added a goal apiece.

Burundi’s Lavie Ninihanazwe and Mossi Nshimirimana each netted a hat-trick, but their efforts were not enough to prevent Uganda from progressing.

The Sand Cranes started strongly, taking a 2-1 lead in the opening period before extending their advantage to 4-2 by the end of the second period.

Uganda moved 6-3 ahead in the third period, but Burundi mounted a spirited fightback to reduce the deficit and leave the hosts clinging to a narrow 6-5 lead in the closing stages.

Lubwama restored Uganda’s cushion with the seventh goal before Ssemakula struck to make it 8-5. Nshimirimana scored Burundi’s sixth, but Lule sealed the historic victory with a late goal, sparking celebrations among the home supporters.

The 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Senegal from November 7 to 15, with eight teams competing for the title.

The tournament will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, with the two finalists earning tickets to the global showpiece.