The picturesque coastline of Durban, South Africa, is poised to become the stage for exhilarating beach football action as the fourth COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship prepares for kickoff from Sunday, March 17 to Saturday, March 23, 2024.
This highly anticipated event promises a fusion of bustling football excitement against the backdrop of sun-kissed sands.
The tournament, following successful editions in 2015, 2021, and 2022, will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A will showcase the host nation South Africa, alongside Malawi, Seychelles, and guest team Saudi Arabia, marking the first-ever participation of a non-African nation in the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championships. Group B comprises Tanzania, Morocco, another guest team, Angola, and former champions Mozambique.
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Action-packed group stage matches are scheduled for Sunday, March 17, Monday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 20, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals on Friday, March 22.
The tournament will culminate on Saturday, March 23, with the third-place playoff and the championship final, all set to take place at the South Beach Arena along Durban’s coastline.
The COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship, which debuted in Seychelles in 2015 and was claimed by Madagascar, has since become a hallmark event in the region. The 2021 and 2022 editions held in Durban were won by Mozambique and Senegal, respectively.
Beach soccer, characterized by its unique dynamics, distinguishes itself from traditional football in several ways. Played on a smaller sandy pitch, each match comprises three periods of 12 minutes each.
Notably, no match can end in a draw, with extra time and penalty shootouts utilized to determine a winner. With five players per team and a fast-paced style, beach soccer promises relentless action and drama.
Fans eager to catch the thrilling matchups can tune in to DStv, with live broadcasts available on various SuperSport channels throughout the tournament. From the opening clashes to the championship showdown, football enthusiasts are in for a treat as Africa’s finest teams vie for beach soccer supremacy.
As the stage is set and anticipation mounts, the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship stands poised to captivate audiences and showcase the vibrant spirit of the sport on Durban’s sun-drenched shores.
COSAFA Beach Soccer broadcast details
All times CAT.
Sunday 17 March
10:15: Tanzania v Angola – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 360
11:55: South Africa v Malawi – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3
14:25: Saudi Arabia v Seychelles – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus and SuperSport Play
15:55: Morocco v Mozambique – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport Play and SuperSport Maximo 360
Monday 18 March
10:15: Mozambique v Tanzania – LIVE on SuperSport Football (and SuperSport Maximo 360 from 10:25)
11:55: South Africa v Seychelles – LIVE on SuperSport Football
14:25: Morocco v Angola – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360
15:55: Malawi v Saudi Arabia – LIVE on SuperSport Football
Wednesday 20 March
10:15: Seychelles v Malawi – LIVE on SuperSport Football (and SuperSport Maximo 1 & SuperSport Maximo 360 from 10:25)
11:55: Angola v Mozambique – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360
14:25: South Africa v Saudi Arabia – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360
15:55: Morocco v Tanzania – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360
Friday 22 March
13:45: Semifinal 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 1 (and SuperSport Maximo 360 from 13:55)
15:25: Semifinal 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360
Saturday 23 March
13:45: Third Place Playoff – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 1 (and SuperSport Maximo 360 from 13:55)
15:25: Final – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360
