By Akinwale Kasali
The Nigeria Beach Soccer team, Super Sand Eagles, are set for their opening FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup opener against European and former Champions, Portugal, in Asuncion, Paraguay, tagged ‘Paraguay 2019’.
Nigeria is grouped alongside Brazil, Portugal and Oman in a group, tagged, ‘Group of Death’. The Super Sand Eagles promises to spring surprises at the competition.
Nigeria earned a ticket to feature in the 16-team World Cup finals after finishing second at the CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations held in Egypt in December 2018. The team fell to eventual Champions, Senegal in the pulsating final.
Nigeria, winners of the African title in 2007 and 2009, and quarter-finalists at the World Cup in 2007 and 2011, will campaign in a fierce Group D that also has world number one team, Brazil and Oman, ranked number 14 in the world. Nigeria is ranked 21st in the world.
Host nation, Paraguay, will tackle Japan in the tournament opening game on Thursday. After their first game against Portugal on Friday, the Supersand Eagles will take to the beach against Oman on Sunday, November 24, and then, against Brazil two days later.
Head Coach, Adamu, has listed veterans Abu Azeez and Victor Tale in his final squad of 12, with Emmanuel Ohwoferia, Emeka Ogbonna, Godspower Igudia, Dami Paul and Taiwo Adams also in.
Others are; Godwin Tale (Victor’s younger brother), Egan-Osi Ekujimi, Babatunde Badmus, Godwin Iorbee and Hameed Kareem.
The match against Portugal comes up tomorrow evening.
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