Olawale – Beach Eagles Will Triumph in Morocco

David Ngobua

9 June 2011

As they get set to depart the shores of the country for the forth coming Africa Beach Soccer Tournament in Morocco, captain of Beach Eagles, Isiaka Olawale has expressed confidence that the Nigerian team will successfully defend the trophy it won in South Africa in 2009.

Veteran beach soccer players, Isiaka Olawale, Abdul Isa Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Ogbonaya Okemiri and John Gaadi who represented the country in the last FIFA Beach World Cup in the United Arab Emirate, UAE, have been listed in the team to represent the country in the 2011 Africa Beach Soccer tourney.

Speaking to Trustsports yesterday, the highly experienced player said the present Beach Eagles team boasts of quality players who are rearing to go.

He said the team is made up of some experienced players and new ones who have demonstrated remarkable abilities to blend with some of them who have been on the scene for over three years now.

Olawale said the tournament in Morocco is going to be a different one but the Beach Eagles cannot promise Nigerians anything less than the trophy at stake and a ticket to be at the next FIFA Beach World Cup in Italy.

He explained that the previous editions of the Africa Beach Soccer were held in South Africa but the 2011 edition is slated for Morocco, a change which he said would surely come with greater challenges.

Olawale who emerged the best player and highest goals scorer at the last edition with 14 goals said Nigeria is always the team to beat in Africa Beach Soccer.

“I am the captain of the team and I can assure Nigerians that we are going to triumph in Morocco. As the defending champions, we are the team to beat but we are not under any form of pressure.

“We have highly experienced players and even the new ones have shown tremendous abilities. They have learnt so fast and they are rearing to go.

“For the first time, the tournament will be taking place outside South Africa and that would come with more challenges but we are ready”.

Olawale called on the Nigeria Football Federation to continue to support the team as it begins final preparations for the tournament.

He said with the necessary support, the Beach Eagles will conquer the continent once again.

This year’s African Beach Soccer Championship will take place in Casablanca from 15th – 19th June, with the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup set for Italy in September.

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