Beach Soccer is a beacon of hope in Mozambique – Saidate Abudo Moveia

While the traditional eleven-aside full-pitch football format remains the leading and conspicuous sport of choice for most Mozambique, Saidate Abudo Moveia, head coach of the nation’s Beach Soccer national team, believes that Beach Soccer has given a uniquely exciting option and beacon of hope for youngsters in the country.

Moveia spoke to CAFOnline from the sidelines of the ongoing COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa, where Mozambique is competing with eight other nations.

Moveia, who aims to lift the title, shared the importance of the sport’s beach format and how it creates hope for youngsters who may not have been fortunate enough to get into a football academy or club.

“Football is big in Mozambique, and so is the sport of Beach Soccer, which has grown in Mozambique over the years,” says the coach.

Mozambique has become one of the best Beach Soccer nations in southern Africa.

Their last appearance at the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship saw them finish third. In contrast, their most impressive showing on the continental stage saw them finish second to current champions Senegal at the CAF Beach Soccer CAF Africa Cup of Nations in the 2021 edition.

“Today, we have more Beach Soccer teams around the country, some of which are part of our Football Association and play in structured competitions. This is encouraging and results in more kids having the option of playing Beach Soccer as a sport in addition to the standard eleven-aside football”, said Moveia.

For Moveia, the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship allows him to assess his team’s standard ahead of this year’s CAF Beach Soccer AFCON tournament, which will take place in Egypt later this year.

Senegal currently holds the African title. They were crowned champions in Mozambique in 2022, a feat that saw them and silver-medalists Egypt earn the right to represent the continent at the recently concluded FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

“The COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship is a competition that we appreciate and gives us great confidence. It’s fantastic, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank COSAFA”, concluded the coach.

The COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship concludes on Saturday, 23 March in Durban.