Nigeria: Beach Soccer – Supersand Eagles Qualify for World Cup

20 June 2011

The National Beach Soccer team, otherwise known as Supersand Eagles, reached this year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after a hard-fought 7-6 defeat of Madagascar in Casablanca on Saturday evening.

Home-based Super Eagles’ midfield ace and veteran beach soccer campaigner, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu scored four of the goals in the see-saw game that had the Supersand Eagles on the backfoot most of the evening. Another veteran, Isiaka Olawale scored Nigeria’s winner in the final quarter.

Victory means a place in the final of the African Beach Soccer Championship and an opportunity to win the trophy for the third time, as well as a place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup coming up in Ravenna, Italy from 1st -11th September, this year.

Triumph on the well-laid beaches of Morocco’s industrial and commercial capital on Sunday would mean a third continental trophy for Nigeria since the advent of the Aminu Maigari-led Executive Committee less than a year ago, and in spite of spirited efforts by misguided detractors and disgruntled elements to frustrate the Executive Committee and Management.

Last November, the Aminu Maigari led team dined from the victory of the National Women’s team, Super Falcons in the 7th African Women Championship in South Africa and in May 2011, the national U-20 team, Flying Eagles, was crowned champions at the 17th African Youth Championship also staged in South Africa.

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