Black Sharks yet to begin Beach Soccer AFCON camping due to unavailabilty of funds

The Black Stars are yet to commence camping ahead of the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ghana’s beach soccer team were expected to begin residential camping ahead of the competition to be hosted in Egypt last weekend. However, the team still has no idea when they are to regroup after being told “there are no funds” for camping.

The news came just when players and officials were about to make their way to the proposed team base.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the Ghana Football Association are tight-lipped with no explanation as to why Black Sharks are yet to receive funds to aid their preparation for the continental competition.

The setback raises concerns about the team’s chances of being in the competition have been drawn into the group of death which has East African champions Tanzania, Africa Beach Games gold medalists Morocco and host nation Egypt.

The competition kicks off on Saturday, October 19, in the Red Sea tourist resort of Hurghada, which is almost 300 kilometres from Cairo.

The 2024 AFCON will mark Ghana’s return to the competition after their last participation in 2016.

The Black Sharks beat the Sand Elephants of Ivory Coast 10-5 on aggregate even though they had to travel almost 18 hours by road from their camping base in Keta to Abidjan.

The unavailability of funds leaves the team in limbo and raises questions about attention to the sport due to Ghana qualifying for the tournament two months ago.

The Beach Soccer tournament will also serve as qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be played in Seychelles. Only the two finalists from the Afcon will make it to the World Cup.